they have PR staff??
South Lakes Wild Animal Park Worker mauled by tiger
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Waddi
Well-Known Member
these would be the said headlines mentioned in last nights statement:
Could dead zookeeper have intended suicide by tiger? | The Sun |News
Could dead zookeeper have intended suicide by tiger? | The Sun |News
Urm ... would that be the newspaper that said Hillsborough was the fault of the Liverpool fans? Obviously, if it's written in that newspaper it must be true
bigcat speciali
Well-Known Member
Family of Scots animal keeper mauled to death by a tiger hits back at zoo after owner re-opens the park and blames victim for horror attack
26 May 2013 07:27
SARAH McCLAY, 24, suffered head and neck injuries after Sumatran tiger Pandang attacked her while she was in the animal enclosure.
THE family of an animal keeper mauled to death by a tiger hit back yesterday as the zoo owner re-opened the
park and blamed the victim for the tragedy.
Sarah McClay, 24, was in the animal enclosure on Friday afternoon when Sumatran tiger Pandang attacked her.
Sarah, who came from Glasgow, suffered head and neck injuries. She was airlifted to hospital but could not be saved.
Yesterday, the Cumbria zoo was open as usual despite the tragedy.
Owner David Gill said neither the tiger nor the park was to blame and he claimed Sarah had not followed safety
procedures.
But her mum Fiona, 49, brother Stephen, 27, sister Lucy, 20, and boyfriend David Shaw, were heartbroken and furious.
Schoolteacher Stephen said: “These are unsubstantiated claims by a man with an obvious axe to grind. My family and I feel his comments are ill-advised, premature and disrespectful.
“He’s laying the blame squarely at her door before the official police inquiries have begun. It has caused hurt to our family.”
Gill said there are systems at the park to ensure that keepers and animal are kept separated at all times.
He said that he had no idea why Sarah had apparently entered the enclosure.
Stephen added: “I can’t speculate as to why Sarah went into the enclosure.
“I assume she was just doing her job and I can’t think of any reason why she would have done something different on this occasion.
“If the investigation found that Sarah made a mistake, then we would accept that, of course.
“But until it is complete, I don’t think anybody – us or David Gill – should be making comments about who is to blame.”
Just hours after the incident, Gill, who has run the South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Dalton-in-Furness for 10 years, said: “After investigation by the authorities here and the police, it does seem that she just basically failed to follow the correct procedures.
“For some unknown reason, an inexplicable reason, because there is no reason for why she did it, she opened the door and went into the tiger enclosure and straight into the tigers. And now we’ll never know why.
“It just seems quite inexplicable. None of us have been able to come up with a really reasonable conclusion.
“All we know is that no one else was involved, there was nobody with her and for some unknown reason, she opened a door and walked straight into the tigers.”
Gill defended the decision to open the park yesterday, saying: “There was a huge consensus of opinion among staff that we should carry on. It’s not the park’s fault, if you will.
“It’s not going to do anybody any good if we closed.”
Sarah, who had worked at South Lakes for four years, was attacked at around 4pm on Friday.
Gill said he heard a member of the public shouting that someone was being attacked. He said the tiger dragged Sarah the length of the enclosure to a tree, where he sat on her chest.
Another tiger, Alisha, was in the enclosure too but it’s not clear if she was involved.
Gill fired two shots which scared the tigers inside so paramedics could treat Sarah.
The young zookeeper died four hours later in Preston Royal Hospital.
Gill said it was a mystery why Sarah had gone into the enclosure as the tigers had not been due to be fed or to have their pen cleaned.
Alisha and Pandang, who is 10 and has been at the park since she was a cub, will not be destroyed. But they were
hidden from public view at the park yesterday.
Gill said: “There is no reason whatsoever to put the tigers down.
“There are only a few hundred of these left in the wild.
“If the tigers had escaped, then that would be different. But a person has gone into the place where they live, without warning.
“They would never have experienced a situation like that before.”
Detective Sergeant Andy Slattery said: “Investigations are in the very early stages.
“We have to interview the staff and examine and reconstruct the sequence of events. It is too early to say if anyone was at fault in any of this.”
Sarah’s dad Nick died four years ago and the family are finding it hard to cope with the new tragedy.
Stephen said: “We are all in complete shock and very upset.
“Sarah was a lively, bubbly, happy and kind person. She was funny. I spoke to her on Thursday night. I thought of something funny and gave her a ring.
“Sarah loved her job and she thought it was a privilege to get to work with the big cats. She was pleased when she got the job. She started off on smaller animals and this was like a promotion.
“She did animal conservation science at university and always absolutely loved animals.
“She wrote her dissertation at university about moths and it was published in a journal and was really highly thought of.”
Sarah and her family moved from Glasgow to Cumbria in 1998.
A few months ago, she wrote on Facebook about how much she loved her job, saying: “I’m in charge of the big cats now, which is epic.”
(Sunday Mail, Scotland)
There is a huge article about this tragic and sad loss of life in the Scottish Sunday Post, where the paper mentions the relationships with a 17 year old zoo keeper, the knif attack againt him, even the divorce and affairs as well as zoo breaches. It makes for sad and disturbing news and to muddy the water, Mr Gill has made numerous comments that are seen as cruel and ego-filled hate from him.
26 May 2013 07:27
SARAH McCLAY, 24, suffered head and neck injuries after Sumatran tiger Pandang attacked her while she was in the animal enclosure.
THE family of an animal keeper mauled to death by a tiger hit back yesterday as the zoo owner re-opened the
park and blamed the victim for the tragedy.
Sarah McClay, 24, was in the animal enclosure on Friday afternoon when Sumatran tiger Pandang attacked her.
Sarah, who came from Glasgow, suffered head and neck injuries. She was airlifted to hospital but could not be saved.
Yesterday, the Cumbria zoo was open as usual despite the tragedy.
Owner David Gill said neither the tiger nor the park was to blame and he claimed Sarah had not followed safety
procedures.
But her mum Fiona, 49, brother Stephen, 27, sister Lucy, 20, and boyfriend David Shaw, were heartbroken and furious.
Schoolteacher Stephen said: “These are unsubstantiated claims by a man with an obvious axe to grind. My family and I feel his comments are ill-advised, premature and disrespectful.
“He’s laying the blame squarely at her door before the official police inquiries have begun. It has caused hurt to our family.”
Gill said there are systems at the park to ensure that keepers and animal are kept separated at all times.
He said that he had no idea why Sarah had apparently entered the enclosure.
Stephen added: “I can’t speculate as to why Sarah went into the enclosure.
“I assume she was just doing her job and I can’t think of any reason why she would have done something different on this occasion.
“If the investigation found that Sarah made a mistake, then we would accept that, of course.
“But until it is complete, I don’t think anybody – us or David Gill – should be making comments about who is to blame.”
Just hours after the incident, Gill, who has run the South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Dalton-in-Furness for 10 years, said: “After investigation by the authorities here and the police, it does seem that she just basically failed to follow the correct procedures.
“For some unknown reason, an inexplicable reason, because there is no reason for why she did it, she opened the door and went into the tiger enclosure and straight into the tigers. And now we’ll never know why.
“It just seems quite inexplicable. None of us have been able to come up with a really reasonable conclusion.
“All we know is that no one else was involved, there was nobody with her and for some unknown reason, she opened a door and walked straight into the tigers.”
Gill defended the decision to open the park yesterday, saying: “There was a huge consensus of opinion among staff that we should carry on. It’s not the park’s fault, if you will.
“It’s not going to do anybody any good if we closed.”
Sarah, who had worked at South Lakes for four years, was attacked at around 4pm on Friday.
Gill said he heard a member of the public shouting that someone was being attacked. He said the tiger dragged Sarah the length of the enclosure to a tree, where he sat on her chest.
Another tiger, Alisha, was in the enclosure too but it’s not clear if she was involved.
Gill fired two shots which scared the tigers inside so paramedics could treat Sarah.
The young zookeeper died four hours later in Preston Royal Hospital.
Gill said it was a mystery why Sarah had gone into the enclosure as the tigers had not been due to be fed or to have their pen cleaned.
Alisha and Pandang, who is 10 and has been at the park since she was a cub, will not be destroyed. But they were
hidden from public view at the park yesterday.
Gill said: “There is no reason whatsoever to put the tigers down.
“There are only a few hundred of these left in the wild.
“If the tigers had escaped, then that would be different. But a person has gone into the place where they live, without warning.
“They would never have experienced a situation like that before.”
Detective Sergeant Andy Slattery said: “Investigations are in the very early stages.
“We have to interview the staff and examine and reconstruct the sequence of events. It is too early to say if anyone was at fault in any of this.”
Sarah’s dad Nick died four years ago and the family are finding it hard to cope with the new tragedy.
Stephen said: “We are all in complete shock and very upset.
“Sarah was a lively, bubbly, happy and kind person. She was funny. I spoke to her on Thursday night. I thought of something funny and gave her a ring.
“Sarah loved her job and she thought it was a privilege to get to work with the big cats. She was pleased when she got the job. She started off on smaller animals and this was like a promotion.
“She did animal conservation science at university and always absolutely loved animals.
“She wrote her dissertation at university about moths and it was published in a journal and was really highly thought of.”
Sarah and her family moved from Glasgow to Cumbria in 1998.
A few months ago, she wrote on Facebook about how much she loved her job, saying: “I’m in charge of the big cats now, which is epic.”
(Sunday Mail, Scotland)
There is a huge article about this tragic and sad loss of life in the Scottish Sunday Post, where the paper mentions the relationships with a 17 year old zoo keeper, the knif attack againt him, even the divorce and affairs as well as zoo breaches. It makes for sad and disturbing news and to muddy the water, Mr Gill has made numerous comments that are seen as cruel and ego-filled hate from him.
bigcat speciali
Well-Known Member
I am horrified that a owner of an animal collection has blamed one of his employees, he did so within minutes of the death of Ms McClay. He purports to have did all he could to save her and yet he lays the blame on her without any thought and care. Factually he would be incorrect to state that the Police and Authorities have ended their investigations. These next few days will be testing times for the family of a fellow zoo keeper who has lost her life, heart-felt sorrow and thoughts of warmth and respect are sent to all.
interesting (as always, where he is concerned) that David Gill was very vocal immediately about police having concluded their enquiries and absolved the zoo of all blame, and yet police are quoted in the above article as saying the enquiries are in early stages (as might be expected seeing it has just happened!).
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
It might be an idea if all of us held off from further comment until some further detais have been established. I have been as guilty as anyone in breaking that rule.
But until we know some more facts what caused the death of a young woman who could have given so much to the world, maybe we should say nothing.
But until we know some more facts what caused the death of a young woman who could have given so much to the world, maybe we should say nothing.
bigcat speciali
Well-Known Member
The Sunday Post:
"Owner say's tragic Sarah "broke rules". I'm not to blame for zoo girl death.
The zoo boss whose employee was killed after a tiger mauling has cleared himself of any wrongdoing - and blamed her for the attack.
Last night controversial zoo owner, David Gill, insisted he wasn't accountable for her death. He blasted the animal lover Sarah for breaking health and safety rules...
Wildlife expert David Gill's anima park attracts visitors across the UK. But his success has not been without its share of incident and controversy.
In May 1997, three years after the park had opened, it hit the headlines when a three ton white rhino called Zimba escaped and went on the rampage before being shot... Zimba had to be shot after falling into a hole in the ground. Mr Gill was later fined £10,000 for failing to keep it adequately contrlled. Later that year Mr Gill was exposed by a Sunday newspaper for having an affair with a 17 year old zoo hand Shelley Goodwin. His then wife left him, taking their two young children. Mr Gill married Shelley but the pair later separated. In 2001 Mr Gill was reportedly ordered to pay £30,000 to a pregnant zoo keeper whom he ordered to clamber up a 16ft pole to feed his tigers. Lara Kitson, 23, complained that scaling a ladder to leave raw meat for the big cats to retrieve at the daily feding display put her baby at risk. After splitting from Shelley, Mr Gill began a relationship with a woman called Caroline with whom he had two more children. Then in 2007 he started seeing Alison Cleary, wife of former rugby league player Richard Cleary. However, after finding them in bed together in the middle of the night, Mr Cleary knifed Mr Gill in the throat and threatened to kill him. In 2008, the attacker admitted aggrivated burglary with intent to cause actual bodily harm and was jailed for five years."
Paper and Editors Opinion page states:
" The horrific death of zoo worker Sarah McClayis, sadly, not the first such tragedy. Over the years, there's been a steady stream of these grisly incidents. The risks are well-known to those who work with these magnificent - but dangerous - beasts. Tigers can strike at any time, with the direct consequences. Of course, the animals can't be held accountable for their actions. But zoo boss, David Gill, is another kettle of fish completely. Blaming his zookeeper hours after one of his tigers killed her is a further devastating blow for her heartbroken family. This young woman who devoted herself to his animals - ultimately paying the price with her own life. Hopefully the police investigation will uncover the truth behind this whole sorry incident."
"Owner say's tragic Sarah "broke rules". I'm not to blame for zoo girl death.
The zoo boss whose employee was killed after a tiger mauling has cleared himself of any wrongdoing - and blamed her for the attack.
Last night controversial zoo owner, David Gill, insisted he wasn't accountable for her death. He blasted the animal lover Sarah for breaking health and safety rules...
Wildlife expert David Gill's anima park attracts visitors across the UK. But his success has not been without its share of incident and controversy.
In May 1997, three years after the park had opened, it hit the headlines when a three ton white rhino called Zimba escaped and went on the rampage before being shot... Zimba had to be shot after falling into a hole in the ground. Mr Gill was later fined £10,000 for failing to keep it adequately contrlled. Later that year Mr Gill was exposed by a Sunday newspaper for having an affair with a 17 year old zoo hand Shelley Goodwin. His then wife left him, taking their two young children. Mr Gill married Shelley but the pair later separated. In 2001 Mr Gill was reportedly ordered to pay £30,000 to a pregnant zoo keeper whom he ordered to clamber up a 16ft pole to feed his tigers. Lara Kitson, 23, complained that scaling a ladder to leave raw meat for the big cats to retrieve at the daily feding display put her baby at risk. After splitting from Shelley, Mr Gill began a relationship with a woman called Caroline with whom he had two more children. Then in 2007 he started seeing Alison Cleary, wife of former rugby league player Richard Cleary. However, after finding them in bed together in the middle of the night, Mr Cleary knifed Mr Gill in the throat and threatened to kill him. In 2008, the attacker admitted aggrivated burglary with intent to cause actual bodily harm and was jailed for five years."
Paper and Editors Opinion page states:
" The horrific death of zoo worker Sarah McClayis, sadly, not the first such tragedy. Over the years, there's been a steady stream of these grisly incidents. The risks are well-known to those who work with these magnificent - but dangerous - beasts. Tigers can strike at any time, with the direct consequences. Of course, the animals can't be held accountable for their actions. But zoo boss, David Gill, is another kettle of fish completely. Blaming his zookeeper hours after one of his tigers killed her is a further devastating blow for her heartbroken family. This young woman who devoted herself to his animals - ultimately paying the price with her own life. Hopefully the police investigation will uncover the truth behind this whole sorry incident."
bigcat speciali
Well-Known Member
I am sure there will be more of this sad incident to come and thepress including ourselves will debate, give rise and even chat about. After reading what the press have said in toay's papers, I feel that the next few days and weeks should be left alone and best if our own thoughts are with Sarah, her family and her friends and colleagues. I bow my head and offer my deepest thoughts and prayers.
BongoHardwood
Well-Known Member
Though this is a horrible incident and it is not nice to hear the accusations and blame so soon after it has happened, in what way would it not be her own doing? Of course there could have been some sort of malfunction in the door which allowed it to be opened by the tigers when she thought it was shut or another keeper's error (though I saw something that said no other keepers were involved), but the former seems unlikely though of course not impossible.
You have stated clearly how it may not have been her fault. Of course we should wait to hear the outcome of any official investigation. I'm not a zookeeper so I don't know of all the potential things that could go wrong. It is Mr Gill who should show some respect by not trying to place the blame firmly on someone else. Me thinks he doth protest too much.
johnstoni.
Well-Known Member
I thought the police had concluded there was no need for further investigation via the HSE?
Even with protocol, as a keeper, if you're tired or having an off day, it is sometimes possible to be convinced you've done something when you haven't. Like secure a gate. Especially when you're tired and what you did yesterday blends in with the same routine the following day. Usually you'd realise within seconds, obviously in this case there wasn't the luxury of time. Its reasonable to assume a mistake was made therefore, but possibly it would be more sensitive to describe your employee's actions in this way rather than to attribute blame.
Even with protocol, as a keeper, if you're tired or having an off day, it is sometimes possible to be convinced you've done something when you haven't. Like secure a gate. Especially when you're tired and what you did yesterday blends in with the same routine the following day. Usually you'd realise within seconds, obviously in this case there wasn't the luxury of time. Its reasonable to assume a mistake was made therefore, but possibly it would be more sensitive to describe your employee's actions in this way rather than to attribute blame.
johnstoni.
Well-Known Member
In that case, it seems premature for the owner to make statements concerning blame. It also opens the possibility that a different member of staff may not have properly secured a service door as the victim appeared unaware that the animal could access the service area, given this was a gate the tiger wouldn't normally go through. Very tragic either way.
IanRRobinson
Well-Known Member
Presumably there will have to be an inquest, and until then it's pure speculation as to what may or may not have happened.
Park owner 'disrespectful' over tiger keeper's death
Park owner 'disrespectful' over tiger keeper's death - Telegraph
Park owner 'disrespectful' over tiger keeper's death - Telegraph
Unsurprisingly, the evidence is mounting that David Gill shot off his big mouth and lied. He has shown no respect to Miss McClay; by implication he has shown his general low regard for his employees; he has shown no respect or consideration for Miss McClay's family. It would be fitting if we eventually hear of his arrest for obstructing police.
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