West Palm Beach police Detective Lori Colombino said the victim was inside the tiger’s habitat at the time.
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A zookeeper died Friday after being mauled by a tiger at the Palm Beach Zoo, officials revealed.
There are less than 250 Malayan tigers in the wild, and the zoo has a breeding program for the animals, Carter said.
“No guest or visitor was ever in jeopardy”, Carter said, the Palm Beach Post reported. The victim was taken to the hospital by helicopter in critical condition after the tiger was tranquilized.
The male tiger invovled in the attack was one of four tigers at the zoo.
The zoo has been closed to the public for the day.
Guests visiting the zoo were evacuated and some were sent to a gift shop.
Zoo patrons were told that a tiger was loose and they should remain in the gift shop. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the attack, as well as the Palm Beach Sheriff’s Office.
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At about 2:20 p.m., they were told the tiger was secure. The incident took place in the night house where the tigers sleep.
