The zoo keeper killed by a tiger at a zoo in Cambridgeshire described as a ‘shining light’ has been named as Wiltshire women Rosa King.
The 33-year-old is understood to have grown up in Chippenham, attending Hardenhuish School before studying animal care at Wiltshire College.
Garry Chisholm, 59, a wildlife photographer in his spare time who knew Ms King through visiting the attraction in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, said the zoo revolved around the keeper.
Mr Chisholm told the Press Association “Rosa wasn’t just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo – she was Hamerton Zoo. She was the absolute central point of it, the focal point of it. She was the shining light of it. It revolved around her.”
A statement from the Zoo said staff were too distressed by the incident ‘This appears to have been a freak accident. The Park will be closed as a full investigation is currently underway, and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able. At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way. All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time.
