Pictured with Sir David Attenborough: zoo keeper mauled to death by tiger - as police say the animal has not been killed

Rosa King, who died on Monday, pictured right alongside Sir David Attenborough
Facebook/Mark King

The tiger that killed a female keeper in a “freak accident” at a zoo in Cambridgeshire has not been put down, police said today.

Rosa King, 33, was mauled to death by a tiger in an enclosure at Hamerton Park Zoo on Monday.

Her heartbroken mother Andrea said the animal-lover had worked at the zoo for around 14 years and “wouldn’t have done anything else”.

“It's what she has always done, it's what she has always loved," Ms King's mother said on Tuesday.

Rosa King was called 'one of life's rarities'
Hamerton Zoo Park/Facebook

Ms King was described as a "beautiful spirit" who adored animals and had a particular passion for cheetahs.

Three years ago the zookeeper met veteran wildlife presenter Sir David Attenborough, who had visited Hamerton to film for a documentary.

Ms King was pictured gesturing to the cheetah, Ares, as Sir David strokes the animal's neck. A caption for the image, written by her brother Mark, read: "How awesome can you get? My sister with one of her cheetahs and David Attenborough!"

Police were called at 11.15am on Bank Holiday Monday to reports of a serious incident as visitors were evacuated from the park.

Tragedy: Rosa King, who was killed on Monday.
Facebook

A full investigation was launched by the zoo as they reassured the public that the tiger had not escaped and the incident happened within an enclosure.

Cambridgeshire Police confirmed on Tuesday that the tiger had not been killed and was unharmed.

The zoo is thought to have four tigers, after two died earlier this year.

They include the park's most recent additions, Malayan tigers Cicip, eight, and Sahaja, and white tigers Mohan and Shiva.

Cicip, the park's eight-year-old Malayan male tiger.
Hamerton Zoo Park/Facebook

The two Malayan tigers were brought into the park in 2015.

The zoo's newest tiger exhibit, a 2,500 square metre area called Tiger Falls, opened last summer. It includes a tiger house with an indoor viewing area into the main den and separate dens for isolation and rearing cubs.

Following news of Ms King's death, tributes poured in from friends and those who knew her.

Wildlife photographer Garry Chisholm, 59, penned a moving tribute to the young woman, who he described as a “good friend”.

Mohan, the zoo's white male tiger.
Hamerton Zoo Park/Facebook

“Rosa wasn’t just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo – she WAS Hamerton Zoo,” he 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.”

Another photographer, called Leanne, said she had met Rosa earlier this year and “could tell instantly she was one of life’s rarities”.

“Such a beautiful spirit. Such a tragic loss. RIP Rosa.”

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