- .Rosa King, 33, who served as zoo's carnivore keeper, killed in a tiger attack
- .Mother Andrea said Rosa 'loved' the job and 'would not have done anything else'
- .The tiger has not been harmed and local council is now investigating incident
- .Witnesses said she rushed to help another colleague in the tiger enclosure
- .Miss King was described as the 'shining light of the zoo' by friends in tributes
- .Visitors were evacuated from the zoo as emergency services arrived
Tributes have been paid to a zookeeper killed in a 'freak accident' by a tiger after she was said to have been rushing to help another colleague.
Rosa King, 33, was 'inspirational' and enjoyed working with her 'beloved cats' at Hamerton Zoo in Cambridgeshire, friends said.
Her heartbroken mother Andrea said earlier today her daughter was dedicated to her job and said: 'She wouldn't have done anything else, it's what she has always done, it's what she has always loved.'
Friends and colleagues described her as the 'shining light' of the attraction and added she 'WAS the zoo'.
Witnesses said they heard 'blood-curdling screams' from the enclosure as more than 100 visitors were evacuated when 'all hell broke loose' amid rumours the tiger had escaped.
The 33-year-old's colleagues desperately tried to save her by distracting the big cat with chunks of meat, witnesses said.
Cambridgeshire Constabulary confirmed the tiger has not been harmed but said the investigation was now being handled by the licensing authority Huntingdonshire District Council.
Speculation is growing on social media that the beast could be put down, although the council has so far not confirmed what action may be taken over the tiger.
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Hamerton Zoo's carnivore keeper Rosa King is pictured with two of the Cambridgeshire wildlife park's four tigers on World Tiger Day last year
The mother of Miss King, pictured with one of the zoo's tigers, said she 'loved the job' and 'would not have done anything else'
Pictured is the enclosure showing where the public viewing area is and the keeper entrance
The zoo's four tigers were looked after by carnivore keeper Rosa (pictured). One of her colleagues wrote on Twitter last night: 'I feel physically sick'
Colleagues of the 33-year-old (shown feeding one of the tigers) desperately tried to save her by distracting the big cat with chunks of meat, witnesses said.
One of the zoo's tigers (pictured) is seen as it prowls along the perimeter fence of its enclosure
Staff were seen on site at the zoo, pictured, today but the gates have been locked
Huntingdonshire District Council is now leading the investigation at the attraction, pictured, after police confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances
Witness Pete Davis said he believed Miss King was attacked after rushing to help a colleague in the tiger enclosure.
He said: '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.'
Miss King's friend, wildlife photographer Garry Chisholm, said last night: 'I have lost a very dear friend who loved the animals in her care very much.
'I would like to say more but I am struggling to take in this news at the moment.'
Writing on Facebook this morning, Mr Chisholm added: 'I was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic events at Hamerton yesterday which resulted in the death of a good friend of mine.
'Rosa was a follower of this page and I would like to make the following tribute statement in her memory:
'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.
'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.
'Rosa would raise money for cheetah conservation by actively taking part in parachute jumps and I was delighted when she approached me asking if she could use one of my pictures to promote her money raising campaign.
A spokesman for the zoo said yesterday staff were 'too devastated' to speak about the incident
Rosa is pictured right alongside a leopard and conservation stalwart Sir David Attenborough
The zoo was pictured almost deserted this morning after bosses confirmed it would be shut all day
Witness Pete Davis said he believed the young keeper (shown) was attacked after rushing to help a colleague in the tiger enclosure
A spokesman for the zoo (pictured) last night confirmed a worker had died, saying staff were 'too distressed' to talk to the media
'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.'
A relative of the zookeeper told The Sun: 'She loved those animals. It's absolutely tragic.
'She would walk in the cheetah cage and play football with them. She was at home with them.'
Philip Caso, a 20-year-old zoology student from Peterborough, got to know Ms King through doing work experience at the zoo each summer and commended her conservation efforts.
In a tribute on Facebook he wrote: 'I'm literally devastated to hear that one of the most inspirational women I knew died at Hamerton Zoo.
'Rosa loved and respected those animals to the point where each and every one was like a child to her.
'Her passion for her job has really inspired me and I was just glad I got the chance to know her. Thinking of all the other keepers.'
Photographer Hollie Gordon, who said she became friends with Ms King through visits to the zoo, said: 'Her passion for the animals, the zoo and conservation really shone through. She loved them all!'
Many on social media have speculated over whether the tiger will be put down, with the majority appealing for it to not be harmed
A woman who worked at Hamerton Zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire was killed in a 'serious incident' this morning, according to police and park officials
The 24-year-old, from Blackpool, added: 'I am in shock by what has happened.
'Terribly upset and can't quite believe I won't see her again with a big smile on her face and working with her beloved cats.'
Others on social media have speculated whether the tiger will be put down following the incident.
Rosie Dore wrote on Facebook: 'R.I.P dear lady you truly loved and trusted this beautiful creature and knew the risks.
'I hope this tiger will not be punished as it is a wild animal and this sweet lady would not want that. My heart is breaking such a sad situation.
Dagmara Nazaruk added: 'Why they should put him down? It's not a dog that attack human it's a wild animal that should live free. RIP Rosa but I'm sure she would not want him to put down.'
The case has been referred to Cambridgeshire Coroner's Office and a spokesman said an inquest will be opened next week, with no further information available before then.
In 2013 keeper Sarah McClay died when she was mauled by a Sumatran tiger at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria in 2013.
The animal was not put down after her family said Ms McClay 'would not have wanted it harmed' and it eventually died in 2016.
Miss King grew up in Chippenham, Wiltshire, and attended Hardenhuish School before studying for a national diploma in animal care at Wiltshire College. 
A photograph allegedly taken next to the tiger enclosure minutes before the attack took place
This hastily-prepared sign was put up to let customers know that the park was closed for the rest of the day
Visitor Pete Davis told how he believes a young female keeper may have been injured after running into the tiger enclosure (pictured) to help a colleague
She had planned to take part in a skydive with four zoo colleagues to raise money for the Cheetah Conservation Fund UK on July 6.
Carpenter Mr Davis, 55, who was at the small zoo with his family, said he saw keepers with their heads in their hands. He added: 'People were really scared, they asked us to leave straight after that and closed the park.'
A zoo spokesman last night said staff were 'too distressed' to talk to the media.
He said: '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.'
Many people expressed their condolences on social media following Ms King's death.
Tracey Ayre said: 'Sincere condolences to the family of Rosa King and staff @HamertonZoo.
'My thoughts are with you all at this very difficult time. RIP Rosa. x'
Jordan Gardner said: 'Awful news, doing her job she loved RIP Rosa King £hamertonzoo'
Andrea Jane added: 'Rip Rosa, looks like you loved the tigers you looked after, you left this earth doing a job you clearly loved.
'Such tragic accident, hope tiger not been put to sleep, as doubt you would want that.'
The park will not open today while the investigation continues.
An air ambulance was called to the zoo near Huntingdon in an attempt to save Miss King's life shortly after 11.30am.
Miss King (pictured) grew up in Chippenham, Wiltshire, and attended Hardenhuish School before studying for a national diploma in animal care at Wiltshire College
The zoo gave no further details on how the worker died, but a police statement revealed that a tiger had 'entered' an enclosure with the woman before her death
Police and the air ambulance said they were called to a 'very serious incident' this morning, before a keeper's death was confirmed
An air ambulance landed as visitors were being evacuated from the zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, this afternoon
A statement from the zoo revealed that a female member of staff had died in a 'freak accident'
Visitors to the park took to Facebook to describe what happened.
Victoria Northover Homes said: 'We've just had to hide thinking a tiger was loose. Something has gone wrong with a keeper and a tiger.'
She added: 'I was taking photos of them [the tigers] in the field, then they came directly to the fence. At this point some of the keepers came running down the hill towards the next tiger enclosure.
'We didn't know what was happening but they looked worried. I carried on walking down the hill towards the next enclosure when someone shouted 'run'.
'A group of us ran into the keepers' rooms for about ten minutes until a keeper said we could leave.
'At this point we understood by the reactions of the staff that something was going on inside the enclosure.
'We could see staff members on the other side of the fence with pieces of meat trying to get whatever's attention.
'It was heart-breaking seeing them trying to help.'
Maxine Foster-Johnson said: 'We got there as it all happened.
'I just can't imagine how devastating it was for the poor workmates who desperately ran to try and distract the tiger with large lumps of meat.'
Aerial footage yesterday showed a big cat prowling the perimeter of a large enclosure as uniformed police officers stood guard.
Hamerton Zoo Park opened in June 1990 and covers 25 acres. It includes enclosures for Malaysian tigers, Bengal tigers, cheetahs, wolves, corsac foxes and 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. The park is home to Bengal tigers Shiva and Mohan and Malaysian tigers Cicip and Sahaja.
A Cambridgeshire Constabulary spokesman said: 'A tiger had entered an enclosure with a keeper. Sadly the female zookeeper died at the scene.'
One of the white Bengal tigers at Hamerton Zoo Park. Police have not confirmed if the tiger was involved in the incident
An archive picture from the park shows Kelly-Jane Erkin feeding Blizzard, as part of World Tiger Day events
Police officers attended the scene today along with ambulance crews and the air ambulance
Police were called around 11.15am to reports of a serious incident at the Cambridgeshire zoo
In 2013, Sarah McClay, 24, from Glasgow, was mauled to death by a Sumatran tiger at South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Cumbria.
The zoo was fined £255,000 after a faulty gate allowed a tiger called Padang to escape its den and pounce as she did her rounds.
The zoo went on to be branded the worst in Britain after nearly 500 animals died amid 'deplorable' welfare standards.
Three zookeepers were killed by big cats at zoos run by the late John Aspinall, who believed they should be allowed close access to bond with the animals.
In 1980, he was forced to shoot two Siberian tigers that killed keepers Brian Stocks and Bob Wilson within weeks of each other at Howletts, near Canterbury.
In 1994, Trevor Smith, 32, head keeper at the same zoo, was killed by a tiger.
British keeper who was mauled to death after a 'door was left open'
Sarah McClay died when she was mauled by a Sumatran tiger at South Lakes Wild Animal Park in 2013
Sarah McClay died when she was mauled by a Sumatran tiger at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria in 2013.
The 24-year-old was pounced on in the keeper's corridor of the tiger house before she was dragged by the back of the neck into a den and then to an outside enclosure.
The animal was supposed to never have access to the corridor but male tiger Padang walked straight through a door to where Miss McClay, from Barrow-in-Furness, was as she carried out her cleaning and feeding duties in the house.
An inquest jury in Kendal ruled in a narrative verdict that Padang got to Miss McClay by entering two open internal sliding gates within the house and then an open door that led on to the corridor.
Systems were in place at the park in Dalton-in-Furness in to ensure that animals and keepers remained apart at all times through indoor and outdoor compartments connected by lockable self-closing doors.
But when staff members rushed in after the attack in May 2013 they found the door to one of the tigers' dens ajar and not locked.
A tiger kept is pictured inside an enclosure at South Lakes Wild Animal Park
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