Hamerton Zoo condemned as a 'death trap' by family of Rosa King who was mauled by tiger

Authorities are examining the safety barrier designed to seperate the animals away from humans

The family of the zookeeper who was mauled to death by a tiger, have claimed she was left to walk into a “death trap.”

Rosa King, 34, was killed earlier this week after the big cat entered the enclosure she was cleaning at Hamerton Zoo, Cambridgeshire.

Authorities are now examining whether the safety barrier designed to separate the animals from the keepers malfunctioned or had been left open due to human error.

“It sounds like she was left to work in a death trap,” a relative told The Sun.

It has emerged the zoo’s owners were warned about their ageing barriers four years ago.

The zoo described Ms King's death as a “freak accident", but it was heavily criticised in an inspection by officials in 2013 that forced it to make improvements.

Tributes to Ms King, described as the “shining light” of the zoo, were led by her mother Andrea.

“She wouldn't have done anything else, it's what she has always done, it's what she has always loved,” she said.

It comes as further details of the incident have emerged.

One visitor described hearing a scream, then being ordered to run from the scene and locking themselves in a nearby room during the 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”.

The Captive Animals Protection Society (CAPS) said the story was “another upsetting example of the dangers involved in keeping wild animals in captivity, both for the public and staff.”

The Independent attempted to contact Hamerton Zoo about the allegations but no comment had been received at the time of publication.

In a statement issued earlier this week, it said it did not wish to speak directly to the media.

“This appears to have been a freak accident," it said, adding that "a full investigation is currently underway, and we hope that more details can be announced as soon as we are able."

It added: “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.”