Poland: Zookeeper killed by tiger while cleaning enclosure

A keeper at a zoo in Poland has been killed by a Sumatran tiger. The attack happened at Wroclaw zoo on Wednesday (16 September) morning while the keeper was routinely cleaning the animal's enclosure.

According to a police spokesman, the keeper, who has not been named, died "virtually on the spot". Radio Poland said the animals are usually locked in a separate area, but the keeper on duty failed to lock the door properly.

The keeper had worked at the zoo for 20 years and had been looking after predators for the last 15 years. Radoslaw Ratajszczak, the director of the zoo, said. "It is the saddest day in my life."

The zoo was closed to visitors after the attack and an inquiry has been launched to find out why the tiger was in the enclosure at the time.

The incident occurred the day before the zoo was due to host an international conference of zoo directors. It is not known whether the conference of European zoo directors planned for Thursday would now go ahead.