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Tributes to zoo keeper killed in Cambridgeshire
A full investigation is underway, but police say the death is not believed to be suspicious.(Stock photo)
Rosa King died after tiger entered enclosure with her
 
A zoo keeper has died at Hamerton Zoo Park in Cambridgeshire after a tiger entered the enclosure with her.

The keeper has been named by the media as Rosa King, 33. She is reported to have died at the scene at around 11.15am yesterday (29 May).

In a statement, the zoo said the incident appears to have been a ‘freak accident’. At no point did the animals escape their enclosures and public safety was not affected. The tiger was unharmed and has not been euthanised, according to BBC News.

The zoo will be closed today (30 May) and a full investigation is underway, but police say the death is not believed to be suspicious.

Peter Davis, a visitor at the zoo, said he heard a “commotion” near the enclosure where Miss King was attacked.

“The next minute half a dozen zoo keepers came running down to the enclosure,” he told BBC News. “One of the girls, we just heard her scream. And one of the girls shouted ‘run’. So a few of us ran into one of the zoo keepers’ small rooms by the enclosure.”

The group were held in the room for around 10 minutes until they got the all-clear. “As we came out, we were sort of ushered further away, but we were still looking at what was going on, and you could obviously see the keepers all distressed, not really knowing what to do, heads in their hands. A couple of them were throwing meat over the enclosure to try and entice the tiger away.”

Tributes to Miss King have poured in, with her friend Garry Chisholm, a wildlife photographer, saying she was the “focal point” and the “shining light” of the zoo.

“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,” he told BBC News.

Her mother, Andrea King, said her daughter was dedicated to her job and “wouldn’t have done anything else, it’s what she has always done.”

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BEVA gives RVNs right to vote

News Story 1
 The British Equine Veterinary Association (BEVA) is to allow its registered veterinary nurse (RVN) members the right to vote.

RVN members will now be able to take part in key decision-making processes and stand for BEVA council.

Marie Rippingale, chair of BEVA's Nurse Committee, said: "I am very proud to be a part of BEVA.

"This change will help to empower nurses to speak up and contribute, but more importantly, it will give them an opportunity to collaborate with other members of the equine veterinary profession to bring about change that is positive for all." 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Bluetongue vaccines comparison table produced for vets

The Ruminant Health and Welfare Group has produced a comparison table on the vaccines available in the UK for bluetongue virus serotype 3.

The three vaccines, which have been permitted for use by the secretary of state for environment, food and rural affairs, claim to reduce symptoms rather than prevent animals from catching the disease.

The table looks at a range of different factors for each vaccine, including their use in sheep and cattle, their use during pregnancy, adverse events, and storage requirements.

The comparisons have been compiled by Flock Health in collaboration with the British Veterinary Association, the British Cattle Veterinary Association, the Sheep Veterinary Society, the British Deer Veterinary Association, the British Camelid Association, and the Goat Vet Society.

The comparison table, and further information on the bluetongue vaccines, can be accessed here.