Police in southeastern England say a zookeeper has been killed in an incident involving a tiger.
A keeper killed in a "freak accident" after a tiger entered the enclosure she was in has been described as the "shining light" of the British zoo where she worked.
Rosa King, who has been named in reports as the Hamerton Zoo Park keeper who died on Monday, was a"lovely lady" who was "absolutely passionate" about the animals in her care, a friend said.
Garry Chisholm, 59, a wildlife photographer in his spare time who knew King through visiting the attraction in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, said the zoo revolved around the keeper.
Rosa King was "absolutely passionate" about the animals in her care. Photo / via Facebook
"Rosa wasn't just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo - she was Hamerton Zoo,: he said.
He told the Daily Mail: "There's no doubting it was a girl's scream and something terrible had happened. It sounds like a tiger turned on her.
"She had run into the enclosure after hearing one of her colleagues shouting and moments later all hell let loose.
"She let out a blood-curdling scream and then another keeper ran out and shouted 'run'.
"It was a case of total panic. There were keepers rushing about throwing buckets of meat to try and get the tigers under control."
A air ambulance was on the scene 20 minutes later and visitors were evacuated from the attraction just before midday on Monday (UK time).
"Her passion for the animals in her care was exceptional though her favourites were undoubtedly the cheetahs which she would refer to as her pride and joy," Chisholm said.
"I feel privileged to have known Rosa and been able to call her a friend.
"She will be greatly missed, not just by me, but by everyone who came to know her.
"The only consolation I can take from today's tragic events is that Rosa is now reunited with her beloved Ares the cheetah, and Blizzard and Ladybelle, her beloved tigers."
The zoo said it appeared to have been a "freak accident" and it would remain closed on Tuesday as an investigation continues.
"At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures and at no point was public safety affected in any way," it said.
"All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time."
People took to social media to express their condolences following the keeper's death. One user posted on Twitter: "Terrible news about the keeper at Hamerton Zoo. Such an awful shock for everyone RIP."
Another wrote: "A zookeeper sadly died earlier today at Hamerton Zoo. So tragic, their life was taken too soon. RIP."
Cambridgeshire Constabulary said the tiger involved was believed to be fine, as Twitter users expressed fears over what would happen to the animal.
Witness Jeff Knott, 32, from Cambridgeshire, said staff had been "a real credit" to the zoo during the evacuation.
"Staff were very calm and professional. All visitors around us were leaving in a very calm manner - no running, shouting or anything similar," he said.
