A Malayan tiger mauled a veteran employee known as “the tiger whisperer” to death at a Florida zoo Friday, officials said.
Stacey Konwiser, 38, was killed by the 13-year-old male tiger in an enclosure known as the “night house,” away from the public, Palm Beach Zoo spokeswoman Naki Carter said. It’s where the tigers sleep and are fed.
The endangered tiger, one of four at the zoo, was tranquilized and authorities had to wait until the sedative took effect before they could come to Konwiser’s aid, West Palm Beach police spokeswoman Lori Colombino said.
“No guest or visitor was ever in jeopardy,” Carter said. “This all happened behind the scenes. The tiger was not out on exhibit.”
Konwiser had worked for three years at the zoo, where her husband, Jeremy Konwiser, is also an employee.
The two met while working at a California zoo, according to a biography posted on the Palm Beach Zoo’s Facebook page.
The zoo will remain closed to the public throughout the weekend.
Florida Fish and Wildlife and OSHA officials said they planned to investigate.
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