Image caption The zoo includes enclosures for Malaysian tigers and Bengal tigers

A zookeeper has died in a "freak accident" after a tiger entered an enclosure at a wildlife park.

The death happened at Hamerton Zoo Park, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, at about 11:15 BST.

Cambridgeshire Police said: "A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zoo keeper died at the scene."

Visitors were led away from the zoo. At no time did the animal escape from the enclosure, said police.

Officers investigating the death said it "is not believed to be suspicious".

Image copyright Heidi Maury Image caption An air ambulance landed at the wildlife park but there were no other injuries

Hamerton Zoo Park said in a statement: "This appears to have been a freak accident.

"At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures and at no point was public safety affected in any way.

"All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time.

"The park will be closed from tomorrow 30th May, and we will give more information as soon as we can."

An investigation is under way, the zoo said.

Image caption A new tiger enclosure opened at the zoo last summer

A visitor to the zoo, who does not wish to be named, told the BBC: "We got to the zoo at opening time, around 11:45.

"We were close to the tiger enclosure when a member of staff shouted for everyone to leave the park quickly and immediately."

Hamerton Zoo Park

The wildlife park opened in June 1990 and covers some 25 acres.

It includes enclosures for Malayan tigers, Bengal tigers, cheetahs, wolves, corsac foxes, kangaroos as well as a variety of birds, reptiles and domestic animals.

The zoo opened a new enclosure for its Malayan tigers in July last year.

In October 2008 a cheetah which escaped from the park was found by a nine-year-old boy in the back garden of his family home.

Another visitor said: "I was taking pictures of the leopards. The parrots were flying and squeaking and going berserk.

"Then staff were running towards the tigers and lions area. We were all told to leave the park. But after 20 minutes everyone was allowed back in.

"Staff asked us to leave again. They're not saying what happened. However, they were great. They were calm, just doing their job."

Visitor Jeff Knott, 32, from Cambridgeshire, said staff had been "a real credit" to the zoo during the evacuation.

"Staff were very calm and professional," he said.

"All visitors around us were leaving in a very calm manner - no running, shouting or anything similar."</s>A zookeeper at Hamerton Zoo Park has been killed after a tiger entered the enclosure she was in, Cambridgeshire police have said.

The zoo had been suddenly closed off earlier in the day after a "serious incident" was reported. In a Facebook post, Cambridgeshire Constabulary said that they had attended a incident at the zoo around 11:15am on Monday (29 May)

"A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zoo keeper died at the scene." the post said.

Police added that the incident was not being treated as suspicious and at no time had any animals escaped from enclosures, as some had earlier speculated on social media.

The police also confirmed that an air ambulance had been present at the scene.

In a statement reported by Peterborough Today, Hamerton Zoo Park said that it appeared to be a "freak accident", adding that staff were "too distressed" after the incident to speak to media. "A full investigation is currently underway and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able."

"All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues , friends and families at this dreadful time."

The zoo also reiterated that no animals had escaped and said that the park would stay closed on Tuesday (30 May). The name of the keeper has not yet been released.

Many on social media speculated about the incident before police confirmed the accidental death, some even suggesting that a tiger "was loose".</s>The tragic zookeeper mauled to death by a tiger today at a Cambridgeshire zoo has been named.

Rosa King, 33, was killed when one of the centre's four tiger got into an enclosure where she was working at Hamerton Zoo Park, near Huntingdon.

Desperate colleagues tried hurling meat towards the tiger in a bid to distract it but Rosa could not be saved and was declared dead at the zoo.

“She would walk in the cheetah cage and play football with them. She was at home with them.”

Her screams for help were heard by Pete Davies, 55, who was there with his partner and son.

“We were at the tiger enclosure and there was a guy who was ahead of us with a camera taking photos of animals," he said.

“He was in the next closure, he came running past us really quickly. Then he came back with a few zoo keepers to the viewing area of where the tiger was, and then we heard a girl screaming and another one said run to us so we found a small room and stayed there until it was safe to leave.

“The zoo keepers had their heads in their hands, and didn’t know what to do, throwing meat over the enclosure to entice the tiger away. They shouted stuff.

“It went on for too long. Then we were ushered out and left."

Police and the ambulance service were called to the zoo at 11.15am this morning.

A statement from Hamerton Park Zoo read: “This appears to have been a freak accident.

“A full investigation is under way and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able.

“At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way.

“All our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time."

The zoo is a 25-acre wildlife park that has about 500 animals including monkeys, cheetahs, raccoons, sloth and a collection of Malaysian tigers and white tigers.

Hamerton will be closed for tomorrow (May 29) at least while investigations continue.</s>HUNTINGDON, Cambridgeshire -- A zookeeper killed by a tiger in an enclosure at a UK zoo was doing the job she loved, according to her mother.

Rosa King, 34, died on Monday in what was described as a "freak accident" at Hamerton Zoo Park in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

Few details have been released about the accident.

King's mother Andrea told the UK Press Association she had worked at the zoo for 14 years.

"She wouldn't have done anything else, it's what she has always done, it's what she has always loved," she said.

Cambridgeshire Police said the tiger was unharmed.

The zoo, which is around two hours north of London, remained closed Tuesday as an investigation was carried out.

Meanwhile tributes were paid to King on social media.

Esther Spicer wrote on Facebook that she had spoken to the zookeeper a few times: "So sad that someone who dedicated her life to animals was taken by one so brutally," she said.

Becky McClean wrote: "I come to Hamerton on a regular basis, it is only a few minutes from where I live. I'm so incredibly sad and my heart goes out to the victim of this terrible accident, her family and all of the staff at the zoo."

The zoo said in a Facebook post that its staff were "distressed" following the keeper's death, which happened about 11:15 a.m (6:15 a.m ET). It "appears to have been a freak accident" and a full investigation is underway, the zoo said.

"At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures, and at no point was public safety affected in any way," the Facebook post added.

Visitors were evacuated from the zoo following the tiger attack.

Victoria Holmes said she was taking pictures of another tiger when she saw zookeepers running toward an enclosure, which she later learned was where the fatal accident happened.

As she and her family walked near the accident scene, someone yelled for people to run. Holmes said she and her family ducked into an office until an employee said it was safe to leave.

"We could see staff members on the other side of the fence with pieces of meat trying to get [the tiger's] attention," said Holmes, who lives in the town of Corby in Northamptonshire. "It was heartbreaking seeing them trying to help."

The website for Hamerton Zoo Park says its "Land of the Tiger" exhibit is a popular attraction. The zoo has housed tigers since 2001.</s>Visitors at Hamerton Zoo were evacuated after emergency services were called to a 'serious incident' which is thought to have involved a tiger.

Cambridgeshire Police confirmed they were called to the zoo near Huntingdon at 11.15am today.

Speculation that a tiger had escaped its enclosure has been dismissed by Cambridgeshire Police and Hamerton Zoo, but the incident is still being described as "very serious".

It is believed someone was attacked by a tiger within an enclosure, but they have not yet been identified.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokeswoman said: “Officers were called at around 11.15am to reports of a serious incident at Hamerton Zoo Park, Steeple Gidding.

Live: Hamerton Zoo in Cambridgeshire evacuated after reports of 'tiger attack', no children hurt

“Officers attended the scene along with ambulance crews and MAGPAS.

“We are unable further information available at this time, however, we can confirm that no animals have escaped and members of the public are safe.

“We will provide a further update when we are able to.”

A MAGPAS air ambulance also landed at the 20-acre facility, which is home to a number of big cats, primates, marsupials, other mammals and birds.

A Magpas Air Ambulance spokeswoman said its "enhanced medical team were called to a very serious incident" at 11.34am today.

She said: "An EEAST Ambulance Service paramedic crew and two rapid response vehicles were also in attendance, alongside the Police.

“Visitors were safely evacuated from the zoo and no one was running. We can also confirm that no animals escaped the enclosure and no children were injured.”

An eyewitness to the scene Charlie Hawthorn, 18, from Northampton, described chaotic scenes.

He said: "When we were going into the zoo there were zookeepers came rushing over telling us there'd been a serious incident and everyone needed to get out.

"Then they actually let us back in for around 15 or 20 minutes before the zookeepers started running around in a bit more of a panic and saying everyone had to get out.

"There was one woman saying a teenage boy was missing and it was just absolute chaos. There were three ambulances, an air ambulance helicopter, police, it looked like a big incident."

Pete Davies, 55, who was there with his partner and son, said: “We were at the tiger enclosure and there was a guy who was ahead of us with a camera taking photos of animals. 

“He was in the next closure, he came running past us really quickly. Then he came back with a few zoo keepers to the viewing area of where the tiger was, and then we heard a girl screaming and another one said run to us so we found a small room and stayed there until it was safe to leave. 

“There was no tiger on the loose because they said we can we can into the next part.

“The zoo keepers had their heads in their hands, and didn’t know what to do, throwing meat over the enclosure to entice the tiger away. They shouted stuff. “It went on for too long. Then we were ushered out and left. 

“We didn’t see anything because it happened behind a mound of grass. It seems like a tiger has turned on a zoo keeper.”

Another eyewitness Jeff Knott, from Cambridgeshire, said staff had been “a real credit” to the zoo during the evacuation.

The 32-year-old told the Press Association: “We had been in the zoo since about 10.30am and heard/seen nothing until asked to leave about 11.45am.

“Staff were very calm and professional. All visitors around us were leaving in a very calm manner - no running, shouting or anything similar.”

The park was closed for the rest of the day and the public are not believed to be at risk.

The zoo is a 25-acre wildlife park that has about 500 animals including monkeys, cheetahs, raccoons, sloth and a collection of Malaysian tigers and white tigers.

In October 2008, a cheetah escaped from the zoo, described as “the most environmentally-friendly zoo in Europe" and reemerged in a nearby back garden.

Eight-year-old Toby Taylor found the cheetah in the back garden of his family home. It was thought to have got out through a faulty electric fence.</s>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 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 Ms King through visiting the attraction in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, said the zoo revolved around the keeper.

Mr Chisholm, from Irchester, Northamptonshire, told the Press Association: 'Rosa wasn't just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo - she was Hamerton Zoo.

'She was the absolute central point of it, the focal point of it. She was the shining light of it.

'It revolved around her.'

Police were called at 11.15am on Monday to reports of a serious incident at the zoo.

A Magpas air ambulance was on the scene 20 minutes later and visitors were evacuated from the attraction just before midday on Monday.

An East of England Ambulance Service paramedic crew and two rapid response vehicles also attended.

Mr Chisholm said: '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.

'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.

It said: 'At no point during the incident did any animals escape their enclosures and at no point was public safety affected in any way.

'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.

He told the Press Association: 'We had been in the zoo since about 10.30am and heard/seen nothing until asked to leave about 11.45am.

'Staff were very calm and professional. All visitors around us were leaving in a very calm manner - no running, shouting or anything similar.'</s>Police said a tiger killed a female zookeeper Monday at Hamerton Zoo Park 130 kilometers (80 miles) north of London.

"A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zookeeper died at the scene," Cambridgeshire Police said in a statement.

The zoo said in a statement that a "freak accident" was to blame for the death. It said, "Our thoughts and sympathies are with our colleagues, friends and families at this dreadful time."

Hamerton Zoo posted a statement on its website saying staff members were too "distressed" to speak the media about the death. The zoo is expected to be closed Tuesday while an investigation continues.

Police said they were called to the zoo late Monday morning.

The tiger never escaped from the enclosure, and police said foul play was not suspected in the keeper's death.

Visitors were evacuated when the incident began and an air ambulance was summoned to provide emergency help for the victim.

An eyewitness says visitors were removed calmly and that there was no panic.

Police did not release information about the tiger.</s>A tiger killed a zookeeper in an enclosure at Hamerton Zoo Park in the hamlet of Steeple Gidding, near Cambridge, United Kingdom, on Monday morning, according to a post on the Cambridgeshire Constabulary's Facebook page. The animal never escaped its enclosure, and the incident is not deemed suspicious, police say.</s>A zoo has been evacuated due to what police have called a "serious incident".

Visitors were led away from Hamerton Zoo Park, near Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, at about 11:15 BST.

A spokeswoman for the attraction denied claims on social media that a tiger had escaped from its enclosure.

A Cambridgeshire Police spokesman said: "We can confirm that no animals have escaped and members of the public are safe."

She continued: "Officers were called at around 11.15am to reports of a serious incident at Hamerton Zoo Park, Steeple Gidding.

"Officers attended the scene along with ambulance crews and Magpas (Mid Anglia General Practitioner Accident Service - air ambulance).

"We are unable to provide further information at this time."

A Magpas spokesman said: "At 11:34am today, the air ambulance landed in a public place near Sawtry in Cambridgeshire, after the Magpas enhanced medical team were called to a very serious incident.

"An East of England Ambulance Service paramedic crew and two rapid response vehicles were also in attendance, alongside the police."

The zoo said it will remained closed for the day and a full statement will be issued later.

Hamerton Zoo Park opened in June 1990 and covers some 25 acres.

It includes enclosures for Malaysian tigers, Bengal tigers, cheetahs, wolves, corsac foxes, kangaroos as well as a variety of birds, reptiles and domestic animals.

The zoo opened a new enclosure for its Malaysian tigers in July last year.

In October 2008 a cheetah which escaped from the park was found by a nine-year-old boy. in the back garden of his family home.

It was thought to have got out through a faulty electric fence.

Were you at the zoo when the incident happened? You can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also contact us in the following ways:
• Text an SMS or MMS to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international)</s>Police in southeastern England say a zookeeper has been killed in an incident involving a tiger.Cambridgeshire Police are not releasing other details about the incident Monday at Hamerton Zoo, which is 80 miles (130 kilometers) north of London.
A zookeeper is killed at Hamerton Zoo Park in Cambridgeshire, England, following an incident in the zoo's tiger enclosure.