Siberian tiger kills Swiss zookeeper as Zoo reopens

A female tiger has attacked and killed a 55-year-old zookeeper at Zurich’s zoo, authorities say.

Rescue crews were unable to save the woman, who died on the spot.

Circumstances of the attack were still under investigation, police said in a statement.

The tiger enclosure holds two Siberian tigers, a five-year-old female named Irinia and a four-year-old male called Sayan, according to the zoo’s website.

Zoo Director Severin Dressen told reporters the female tiger attacked the keeper.

The tiger was still alive, he said, adding that it was unclear why the tiger and the zookeeper were in the enclosure at the same time.

A zoo visitor reported the attack and Dressen said witnesses were receiving psychological counselling.

The Zurich zoo reopened a month ago after being closed due to the coronavirus crisis.