Hamerton Zoo Park Keeper killed at Hamerton

As has rightly been pointed out, this article is nonsense. Attempting to use an inspection report from four years ago (the recommendations of which were time-sensitive and presumably have been met) to try and pin the blame for this incident on the zoo is totally unjustified. Such speculation is not only inaccurate but deeply insensitive.
 
I absolutely agree, it seems that any excuse, however insensitive, is clearly an opportunity for another general "zoo-bashing" from the press - however it does highlight just how ignorant they are where zoos are concerned.

Out of interest does anyone know which particular tiger is was ?
 
Nanook said:
I absolutely agree, it seems that any excuse, however insensitive, is clearly an opportunity for another general "zoo-bashing" from the press - however it does highlight just how ignorant they are where zoos are concerned.

Out of interest does anyone know which particular tiger is was ?
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From what was said in The Sun it was one of the Malayan Tigers
 
It was one of the Malayan tigers. Aerial photos of the incident show their enclosure
 
bongorob said:
It was one of the Malayan tigers. Aerial photos of the incident show their enclosure
Click to expand...
I've seen aerial pictures of the white tigers too though, if it was on the Currant Bun website, wait for official confirmation
 
The aerial footage showed both enclosures, but only the Whites are visible. However, the Malaysian Tigers are often inside or out of sight and are never out together.
 
This is very sad news for all concerned.

According to the news today and the other media the police are now going to investigate the circumstances of the death which is a U-turn from earlier reports, they do state that they're working with the local council and I should imagine Health and Safety as well.
 
AdrianW1963 said:
This is very sad news for all concerned.

According to the news today and the other media the police are now going to investigate the circumstances of the death which is a U-turn from earlier reports, they do state that they're working with the local council and I should imagine Health and Safety as well.
Click to expand...

The health and safety executive will investigate any work place death (or serious injury)...the zoo would have no say in the matter.
 
From their Facebook in the last half hour

We have received a number of enquiries from members of the public asking about the tiger following last weeks incident.

After extensive consultation with the staff at the zoo, we have decided not to put down the tiger. This decision has been fully supported by Rosa's family.

We are awaiting the findings of the investigation to fully understand what happened before we take further action on this matter. If we receive regulatory or professional guidance to the contrary, we will review our position.
 
There have been a spate of articles about the death of Rosa King in the last day or so. I am not sure why since they seem to refer to the July 12th coroner's report already reported upon. Nonetheless they are worth reading. Two points are made that the Guardian articles linked above either do not make or do not dwell on.

The first is that between the time of Rosa King entering the enclosure and the time of the discovery of her body the enclosure was unsecured and the tiger could have exited and potentially attacked members of the public.

According to the report airlock-style gates have now been installed that would in theory prevent any part of the enclosure ever being open to the outside.

The second is that at the time of the tragedy in 2017 Hamerton did not have firearms (guns) on site. When the report was released in July 2019 Hamerton still did not have firearms onsite, although two staff members do now hold firearms licenses. It is not reported what the situation is in December 2019.

Here are two of a number of articles:

Coroner warned of future deaths at zoo if measures aren't taken

'Only by chance' tiger didn't attack zoo visitors after mauling keeper to death

(Be aware that the second article makes at least one factual error: it refers to Rosa King caring for a tiger cub whereas in the report it is a serval kitten.)
 
FunkyGibbon said:
There have been a spate of articles about the death of Rosa King in the last day or so. I am not sure why since they seem to refer to the July 12th coroner's report already reported upon. Nonetheless they are worth reading. Two points are made that the Guardian articles linked above either do not make or do not dwell on.

The first is that between the time of Rosa King entering the enclosure and the time of the discovery of her body the enclosure was unsecured and the tiger could have exited and potentially attacked members of the public.

According to the report airlock-style gates have now been installed that would in theory prevent any part of the enclosure ever being open to the outside.

The second is that at the time of the tragedy in 2017 Hamerton did not have firearms (guns) on site. When the report was released in July 2019 Hamerton still did not have firearms onsite, although two staff members do now hold firearms licenses. It is not reported what the situation is in December 2019.

Here are two of a number of articles:

Coroner warned of future deaths at zoo if measures aren't taken

'Only by chance' tiger didn't attack zoo visitors after mauling keeper to death

(Be aware that the second article makes at least one factual error: it refers to Rosa King caring for a tiger cub whereas in the report it is a serval kitten.)
Click to expand...

I can't help but question the reasoning behind the sudden string of articles coming out about this two years after the incident and 6 months after the end of the inquest. From a quick search, I see that most are making a pretty big deal about the potential for other members of the public (particularly children) to have been hurt, too, had the tiger left the enclosure. I do wonder if we're seeing a push from the zoo-anti lobby to get the story circulating again...

~Thylo
 
I had not heard of a Prevention of Future Deaths Report before. I have learned that a Coroner can choose to write one after an inquest to notify any person or organisation to take action to prevent future deaths, based on the findings of the inquest. The recipients must respond within 56 days, reporting on what they have already done or propose to do. The Report and these responses are sent to the Chief Coroner. The Report was published on 18th September at https://www.judiciary.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Rosa-King-2019-0239.pdf
The articles in the local press use information from this report: I don't know why they were published so long after the report was. The responses from the zoo, its safety advisers, the police, DEFRA and the HSE (Health & Safety Executive) can also be published by the Chief Coroner in some form, but the press reports do not mention them, so I suppose that this has not been done.
 
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