Another wildlife conservation tragedy:43year old Zookeeper killed by a tiger

Samantha Kudeweh, 43 and a mother of two was reportedly attacked and killed on Sunday, September 20th  by one of Hamilton Zoo's Sumatran tigers in New Zealand. News from local reports states that the tiger attacked her while the animal's enclosure was being cleaned. The Zoo is said to be closed until Thursday Sept. 24th. A staff confirmed that the tiger will not be put down following the tragedy. Hamilton City Council’s General Manager Community, Lance Vervoort says although Samantha’s death is a tragedy for the wider zoo family and international wildlife conservation community, senior zoo staff have ruled out euthanizing Oz. Mr Vervoort says some of the zoo’s five Sumatran tigers will be on display. No decision has been made on whether visitors to the zoo will be able to see Oz. Mr Vervoort says the zoo’s popular Tiger Talks, Eye 2 Eye and Face 2 Face encounters for all species have been suspended until further notice to allow zoo staff time and space to grieve for their friend and colleague. May her soul rest in peace.