'Tiger whisperer' Stacey Konwiser mauled to death by big cat in Palm Beach zoo

She received a 'severe bite' from a male Malayan tiger while preparing to give a talk to the public about the animals

The Malayan tiger was immediately tranquilized (Jean Flickr)

A zookeeper has been mauled to death by a tiger at a zoo in Florida.

Stacey Konwiser, 38, known as a "tiger whisperer" because of her skill in dealing with the animals, suffered a “severe bite” while performing basic tasks in the tiger enclosure at Palm Beach Zoo.

She had reportedly been preparing for a 'Tiger Talk’, a regular show for zoo visitors that she carried out daily, when the incident occured. She was rushed to St Mary's Medical Centre but later died from her injuries.

Ms Konwiser spent a lot of time tending to the Malayan tigers at the zoo. The one that attacked her – a male – was tranquilised immediately after the incident occurred. Police were investigating the circumstances of her death.

Naki Carter, a Palm Beach Zoo spokesperson, told TV station WPTV: “[Ms Konwiser] loved tigers. She loved everything that had to do with keeping these tigers and seeing that they were enriched daily.

“As a zoo family, we are grieving at this time. On behalf of all of us, we want her family to know that our thoughts and prayers are with her."

Ms Konwiser's passion for big cats can be seen on her Facebook page, where she had uploaded numerous photographs of them. On her latest tiger upload, she said: “The newest man of my life”.

Speaking to WPTV, Ms Carter added that this was the first human death by an animal in the history of Palm Beach Zoo, and that guests were never in danger.

The zoo will remain closed until further notice.