Rosa King death: Hamerton Zoo 'was warned about barriers' before deadly tiger attack

Improvements believed to have been made as part of licencing conditions

Hamerton zookeeper Rosa King, 34, who was killed by a tiger while on duty at the park (Facebook)

The owners of a zoo where a keeper was mauled to death by a tiger were warned about their ageing barriers four years ago.

Rosa King, 34, was killed when a tiger entered the enclosure where she was working at Hamerton Zoo in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire.

The zoo, which described the incident as a “freak accident", was heavily criticised in an inspection by officials in 2013 that forced it to make improvements.

One visitor described hearing a scream then being ordered to run from the scene and locking themselves in a nearby room during Monday's attack.

He said that when members of the public emerged 10 minutes later they saw staff throwing meat over the wall of the enclosure to “try to get the tiger to come away”.

Documents seen by the Daily Telegraph, show that inspectors were concerned about the zoo’s “ageing safety barriers” and perimeter fencing as well as their escape procedures not being tailored to the risk poised by different animals.

The inspectors reported that the communications system the zoo had in place were “not sufficient” and needed to be upgraded.

It was only granted a new licence on the condition it introduced the changes. It is believed these improvements were made.

The report said: “The inspectors consider that reliance on mobiles to communicate in an emergency is not sufficient and the system needs to be upgraded to ensure that all relevant staff can be contacted simultaneously”.

It ordered the zoo to “review and replace ageing safety barriers where the structural integrity of the barrier is compromised” and “review, repair and replace ageing/damaged perimeter fence where the structural integrity of the fence is compromised.”

The incident has raised concerns about the way zoos are being run as the case echoes that of Sarah McClay, 24, who was killed when a tiger broke into the staff area at South Lakes Safari Zoo in Cumbria in 2013.

It later emerged nearly 500 animals had died in four years, some from starvation, and Barrow-in-Furness Council turned down an application to renew its licence made by founder David Gill.

Controversially earlier this month the council agreed to allow the zoo a new licence under the management of a newly formed company, Cumbria Zoo Company Ltd, run by Karen Brewer – who had also served as chief executive under Mr Gill.

Following the incident the Born Free Foundation issued a statement on Facebook saying Ms King’s death highlighted the danger of keeping wild animals in captivity.

It said: “It has now been confirmed that zookeeper, Rosa King, has sadly been killed by a tiger in circumstances that are currently unclear.

“Our thoughts are with the staff member's family and colleagues.

Hamerton Zoo Park is closed to the public while an investigation is underway (PA)

“The tragic news is hauntingly reminiscent of the death of a keeper at South Lakes Safari Zoo four years ago,and further highlights the dangers involved when keeping wild animals in captivity.”

The Independent has tried to contact Hamerton Zoo about the allegations but in a statement issued yesterday it said they did not wish to speak directly to the media.

It said: “We are sorry but our staff are too distressed to speak directly to the media, as one of our colleagues was killed at Hamerton Zoo Park, this morning.

“This appears to have been a freak accident.

“The Park will be closed from tomorrow (30 May), as a full investigation is currently underway, 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.”