The
tragic death of a Florida zookeeper attacked by one of her beloved
tigers could have been prevented if the facility had more rigorous
safety standards, an animal rights group said.
The tragic death of a Florida zookeeper attacked by one of her beloved
tigers could have been prevented if the facility had more rigorous
safety standards, an animal rights group said.
The Animal Legal Defense Fund urged the federal agencies investigating the Friday mauling of Palm Beach Zoo “Tiger Whisperer” Stacey Konwiser to impose the maximum penalties possible.
“As long as employees are allowed to work in dangerously close
proximity to tigers, elephants, and other dangerous animals, a
significant risk of serious injury or death persists,” the group said in a statement, calling the 38-year-old’s death “preventable.”
Bruce R. Bennett/ZUMA24.com
Palm Beach Zoo Tiger keeper Stacey Konwiser was killed by one of the animals Friday afternoon.
Zoo officials have released few details about the Friday tiger attack,
which marked the first death in the zoo’s 60-year history.
Konwiser was prepping for a Friday afternoon “Tiger Talk” — a regular
event in which the lead Tiger keeper taught visitors about the big cats —
when one of the zoo’s four Malayan tigers attacked, Palm Beach Zoo
spokesperson Naki Carter said.
Brianna Soukup/AP
Stacey Konwiser had worked at the zoo for three years.
The tiger was tranquilized and authorities had to wait until the sedative took effect before they could come to Konwiser's aid.
Konwiser, known as “the Tiger Whisperer,” was airlifted to a hospital, where she died.
Officials have not detailed the injuries Konwiser suffeed or what
sparked the attack. They did, however, assure the public that no
visitors were ever in any danger: The attack happened in an enclosure
that is not visible to the public view and no animals were ever on the
loose.
While the zoo has not said why the tiger pounced on his keeper, animal
experts said the beast is not to blame. The creature was just following
his instincts, Ron Magill, with Zoo Miami, told CBS Miami.
Via Facebook/Palm Beach Zoo
Konwiser's husband, Jeremy Konwiser, also works at the zoo.
"I think one of the things people have to understand here is that this
is not the tiger's fault," he said. "For a tiger to behave this way —
it's a tiger being a tiger."
Damon Higgins/AP
Nina Blakeman (r.) is comforted after her co-worker's death.
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 Occupational Safety and Health Administration, the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission and several local agencies are
investigating the Friday attack. The zoo will remain closed throughout
the weekend, officials said. With News Wire Services
Bruce R. Bennett/ZUMA24.com 
Brianna Soukup/AP 
Via Facebook/Palm Beach Zoo 
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