Rare White Tiger Mauls Zookeeper To Death In NZ

A zookeeper has been mauled to death by a white tiger in front of horrified tourists at a wildlife park in New Zealand.

The animal fatally mauled the man while he was cleaning an enclosure in Whangarei's Zion Wildlife Park on North Island.

Despite the efforts of a second keeper and a rapid response from other wildlife park staff, the tiger would not let the park worker go.

He died at the scene.

Police spokeswoman Sarah Kennett said the keeper had suffered serious injuries to his abdomen and lower legs.

The tiger was later destroyed by wildlife park staff.

Victim Support officers were called to the scene to help distressed park employees and visitors, including eight foreign tourists who witnessed the attack.

The park, located near the northern city of Whangarei, has 42 rare lions and tigers.

They are kept in large wire-cage enclosures, which include trees and grassy areas.

In February, park employee Demetri Price required surgery after he was attacked by a white tiger.

Scottish teenager Lisa Baxter was left scarred last year after she put her hands through a hole in the fence and was bitten by a white lion.

Authorities are investigating the latest incident.