Zoo official: Tiger involved in fatal attack doing well, remains at zoo
Palm Beach Zoo will reopen Monday at 9 a.m.
Updated: 8:51 AM EDT Apr 18, 2016
WPBF.com Web Staff
The Palm Beach Zoo said it will reopen Monday at 9 a.m., three days after a tiger killed a zookeeper.Naki Carter, the zoo's public information officer, said the zoo is mourning the death of Stacey Konwiser.Video: Zoo holds news conference Konwiser, 38, was in the tiger's enclosure, preparing to give a talk to guests, when she was attacked by one of the zoo's Malayan tigers.Konwiser, whose husband, Jeremy also works at the zoo, was the lead zookeeper. She had worked at the zoo for three years. Officials said Konwiser was an expert at caring for tigers.Download app: iOS | AndroidThe attack took place at the Night House, an area designed to keep handlers separate from the tiger. Guests were not present during the attack."We want to underscore that at no time was the public at any risk," Carter said. "The zoo immediately went into lockdown mode. Guests were never in danger at any time."Carter continued: "We also want to emphasize that at no time did any animal escape."Zoo officials said they don't know exactly what happened."The zoo has a safety protocol in place for crisis situations and these protocols were employed today," Carter said. "Immediately after the Code Red was issued guests, who were never in any danger, were ushered out of the zoo in an orderly fashion and the zoo went into lockdown."The tiger habitat is located in the right rear of the zoo. It is a large area with room for the tigers to roam.When night falls, the tigers are transferred to the Night House.Konwiser was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center by helicopter after a tranquilizer given to the tiger took effect. She was listed in critical condition and later succumbed to her injuries.The tiger was tranquilized and contained.Carter said this is the first time in the Palm Beach Zoo's history a death of this nature has occurred.Grief counselors are available to zoo staff, Carter said.The zoo has set up the Stacey Konwiser Conservation Fund and will hold a private ceremony. All donations will go toward a cause she cared dearly about, preserving Malayan tigers.Funeral arrangements are being made by family members.The tiger involved in the attack remains at the zoo and has recovered from being tranquilized, Carter said. Officials made it clear the life of the animal has never been in jeopardy nor will it be removed."There has never been any threat to the animals welfare. In fact, it does not belong to Palm Beach Zoo," Carter said. "As I stated repeatedly, there are less than 250 Malayan tigers in the wild. Four of them live here at the Palm Beach Zoo."The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the tiger attack.The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office is also investigating the case.WPBF 25 News reporter Jimmie Johnson contributed to this story.
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. —
The Palm Beach Zoo said it will reopen Monday at 9 a.m., three days after a tiger killed a zookeeper.
Naki Carter, the zoo's public information officer, said the zoo is mourning the death of Stacey Konwiser.
Video: Zoo holds news conference
Konwiser, 38, was in the tiger's enclosure, preparing to give a talk to guests, when she was attacked by one of the zoo's Malayan tigers.
Konwiser, whose husband, Jeremy also works at the zoo, was the lead zookeeper. She had worked at the zoo for three years. Officials said Konwiser was an expert at caring for tigers.
Download app: iOS | Android
The attack took place at the Night House, an area designed to keep handlers separate from the tiger. Guests were not present during the attack.
"We want to underscore that at no time was the public at any risk," Carter said. "The zoo immediately went into lockdown mode. Guests were never in danger at any time."
Carter continued: "We also want to emphasize that at no time did any animal escape."
Zoo officials said they don't know exactly what happened.
"The zoo has a safety protocol in place for crisis situations and these protocols were employed today," Carter said. "Immediately after the Code Red was issued guests, who were never in any danger, were ushered out of the zoo in an orderly fashion and the zoo went into lockdown."
The tiger habitat is located in the right rear of the zoo. It is a large area with room for the tigers to roam.
When night falls, the tigers are transferred to the Night House.
Konwiser was transported to St. Mary's Medical Center by helicopter after a tranquilizer given to the tiger took effect. She was listed in critical condition and later succumbed to her injuries.
The tiger was tranquilized and contained.
Carter said this is the first time in the Palm Beach Zoo's history a death of this nature has occurred.
Grief counselors are available to zoo staff, Carter said.
The zoo has set up the Stacey Konwiser Conservation Fund and will hold a private ceremony. All donations will go toward a cause she cared dearly about, preserving Malayan tigers.
Funeral arrangements are being made by family members.
The tiger involved in the attack remains at the zoo and has recovered from being tranquilized, Carter said.
Officials made it clear the life of the animal has never been in jeopardy nor will it be removed.
"There has never been any threat to the animals welfare. In fact, it does not belong to Palm Beach Zoo," Carter said. "As I stated repeatedly, there are less than 250 Malayan tigers in the wild. Four of them live here at the Palm Beach Zoo."
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is investigating the tiger attack.
The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office is also investigating the case.
WPBF 25 News reporter Jimmie Johnson contributed to this story.