Stacey Konwiser's death could easily have been avoided, animal rights activists say. As the New York Daily News reported, the Florida zookeeper, alternately known as the "Tiger Whisperer," was mauled to death on Friday by one of the four Malayan tigers that had been under her care for three years. But it may not have happened at all if the zoo had maintained better safety standards.
"As long as employees are allowed to work in dangerously close proximity to tigers, elephants, and other dangerous animals, a significant risk of serious injury or death persists," the Animal Legal Defense Fund said in a statement, adding that "deaths and serious injury are preventable, and safety regulations are an important piece of keeping zookeepers and employees who have close contact with dangerous animals safe."
The ALDF asked that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) launch an investigation into conditions at Palm Beach Zoo, where the mauling occurred, and that they "impose the maximum penalty" in order to head off future fatalities.
Konwiser was readying the tigers for the day's educational "Tiger Talk," in an enclosure out of patrons' sight, at the time of the attack; according to the Daily News, she died from her injuries at a local hospital. Woman Who Called Herself View photos A Malayan tiger with her cubs.
The zoo does not blame the animal for acting on its natural instincts, but as CBS Miami reported, there's not yet word on what will happen to him. According to the ALDF, there have been 24 such big-cat-induced deaths and 265 injuries recorded since 1990 — 128 of these animals in captivity have been put down as a result. By all accounts, that's not the outcome Konwiser would've wanted.
"This is an endangered species and Stacey understood the dangers that come with this job," said zoo spokesperson Naki Carter, according to the Guardian. "She understood that every single day she was putting her life at risk to save the lives of others, specifically Malayan tigers. She dedicated her life and she understood what came with that."
#1: rlk To: Deckard (#0)
There are highly instructive political implications to be learned from this.
rlk posted on 2016-04-18 11:57:57 Reply Private Reply
#2: Willie Green To: Deckard (#0)
Willie Green posted on 2016-04-18 12:03:43 Reply Private Reply
#3: BorisY To: rlk (#1)
Carter, the zoo spokeswoman, said Konwiser was “efficient and proficient” at her job and, on the afternoon of the attack, she said Konwiser was doing her daily chores. “This was not out of the norm,” said Carter. “What occurred was out of the norm.”
http://www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-zookeeper-mourned-after-mauled-to-death-by- tiger/
BorisY posted on 2016-04-18 12:13:09 Reply Private Reply
#4: SOSO To: rlk (#1)
If you say so. Personally I think it's a travesty to pen these animals in a caged zoo. If we must have convenient places to view zoo animals then it should be the animals in the open and the visitors in the caged/protected viewing vehicles. Petting zoos perhaps the exception.
SOSO posted on 2016-04-18 13:19:37 Reply Private Reply
#5: sneakypete To: Deckard (#0)
Nothing should happen to the tiger,who was just doing what tigers do.
sneakypete posted on 2016-04-18 14:40:10 Reply Private Reply
#6: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
Allowed? I don't care how close the zoo will "allow" me to work to a Malayan tiger. I'm going to use common sense, assume that the tiger wants nothing more than to kill me, and base my behavior on that.
misterwhite posted on 2016-04-18 14:43:57 Reply Private Reply
#7: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
What did she whisper to the tiger that pissed him off? Probably said she was voting for Trump.
misterwhite posted on 2016-04-18 15:55:19 Reply Private Reply
#8: misterwhite To: Deckard (#0)
misterwhite posted on 2016-04-18 16:01:43 Reply Private Reply
#9: A Pole To: Deckard (#0)
There was a young lady of Riga, Who rode with a smile on a tiger. They returned from the ride With the lady inside And the smile on the face of the tiger.A Pole posted on 2016-04-18 17:11:46 Reply Private Reply
#10: A Pole To: All (#9)
The goat that has been named 'Timur' in honour of his bravery in facing his predator, has been observed for several days frolicking in the snow with his new-found friend.
Timur is sleeping a the spot inside the Amur tiger's shelter where the large cat previously rested. The Amur tiger has now taken to resting on top of the shelter, guarding his friend.
Safari park staff have expressed surprise at the friendship on their website, saying the tiger usually dines on live goats and rabbits without a care, twice a week.
A Pole posted on 2016-04-18 17:29:07 Reply Private Reply