Zookeeper Dalu Mncube, pictured here with a lion, was mauled to death by a rare white tiger today at the Zion Wildlife Gardens in New Zealand
Tourists visiting the Zion Wildlife Garden in Whangarei, New Zealand watched in horror as a rare white tiger mauled a zookeeper to death.
According to reports, earlier today two employees were cleaning an enclosure that contained two white tigers, when suddenly; one of the animals lunged at Dalu Mncube and knocked him to the ground.
“It was very, very frightening, there was absolutely nothing anyone could do to make the tiger let the man go,” a tourist at the zoo told reporters.
The zoo, which is located in the north of the country, has recently been investigated over allegations that the animals are being abused.
After the accident, officials closed the zoo, which was been made famous by the Lion Man reality TV series, and destroyed the tiger.
A spokesperson for the police department said, “Despite the best efforts of the second zookeeper and a rapid response from other wildlife park staff, the tiger would not let the park worker go and he died at the scene.”
An investigation has begun into whether conditions the animals were being kept in were a factor in provoking the attack.
According to reports, this is the second time that a white tiger, whose fur is white because of a missing pigment, has injured an employee at the controversial park, which is home to more than 40 rare lions and tigers.
The Zion Wildlife Gardens are well known in New Zealand as the home of the Lion Man TV series, which followed the conservation work of Craig Busch.
Busch’s mother, who controls the complex, fired him from the zoo last year and last week during a court hearing, he claimed that the care and safety standards at the park had slipped since the breakdown of his relationship with his mother.
He told the court that he has become “very concerned with animal welfare issues.”
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13 users commented in " Zookeeper Dalu Mncube, mauled to death by a rare white tiger "
Follow-up comment rss or Leave a TrackbackThis is sick i am a massive animal lover i have watched lion man on tv n i cannot believe how amazin craig busch is with these animals. He is so gentle and loves them to bits he treats them like puppies i think any big cat that needs rescuing should go to him he is amazing
Hi, I am transfixed by the series and my heart goes out to Dalu’s family and colleagues. Craig appears to be a very kind and talented person and this must have hit him hard.
Craig, if you read this, my deepest sympathies and my utmost respect for what you do for these beautiful animal. The lions are absolutely captivating and love you as much as you love them. Ignore all the snide remarks, unfair criticisms and judgments, you clearly do a wonderful job.
Karla
Croydon, UK
So sad tht dalu has died…he was fantastic with the big cats, I think craig bucsh is also amazing…he handles these animals with great care and love. The carers at the park no exactly what risks r involved in lkn aftr these animals b4 applying 4 the job…they no these cats (even tho most r hand rared) have wild hearts and instincts…i feel for dalus family and I agree tht this cat shuld have bn put 2 sleep aftr the earlier attack on a carer and maybe dalu wuldnt have lost his life
this is an awful tradegy, dalu was an amazing man , as is craig busch r.i.p dalu craig don’t give up you’re a natural and rare human , i’m shocked by the way things have turned out, keep on keeping on mate
I loved that programme so much I even gotthr third series on dvd
I am very sad to hear that Mr MnCube had been injured so badly that he’d been killed, although I do not blame the animal. I think that it is clear that the animal was eventually going to fatally wound somebody at some point, after the previous incident.
Almost equally as upsetting is that Mr Busch had been fired. I believe he had done a marvellous job of caring for the big cats, as well maintaining an adequate living environment for them and preserving their species. However, I am somewhat concerned that the park was allowed to become unsafe merely because of a broken relationship, but do not think that this is the fault of Mr Busch.
I truely believe that however good the intention, these animals which are wonderful,powerful stunning creatures are being kept in captivity is the worst thing for them. They are not domesticated and like i said, however genuine the attitude of the people are in tryin to keep the species alive.. they are not happy bein kept in big enclosureS! and this is when animals become frustrated, angry and eventually they will snap, is it the animals fault.. NO. They were not born to be entertainment for pepple, they were ment to be in the wild and left alone to enjoy they’re lives. Im dreadfully sorry to hear of the loss of Dalu and think Craig Busch tried his best but the bottom line is.. they shouldn’t be in any sort of zoo.. they need to be in their natural enviroment to live as they want.
Me and my family watch the lion man every time it is on Television.Im sorry to hear of the loss of Dalu.
I am very sorry to Hear the Loss of Dalu, he was amazing with the big cats. However, i have just about watched every episode and beleive that Craig is more than amazing with the animals. Every Episode of ‘Lion Man’ i have been amazed and inspired how Craig and the rest of the staff are with the Cats, espcially Craig. I am very upset to know that Craig has been fired from Zian Gardens as the cats were like his children and he would no nothing to ever hurt them. All episones of ‘Lion Man’ have proven that none of the cats what so ever feel that Craig is a Threat to them which leads to how i disagree to the alligations made towards Craig.
im am so upset about dalu he was a grea man always smiling. this could have happened anytime anything can spook any animal at anytime no one knows how any animal will react they cannot talk to us and tell us whats wrong. i feel sorry for the tiger too there must have been something that kicked the tiger off
craig im so sorry for you i hope you win over your mum i have all 3 lion man series you are great you love those animals and they love you xxx ake care
i hope somehow we get to know if you get your park back. i have no idea how any moher can do this to her own child and as craig said himself things have gone down since she kicked him out. i blame her this is all her fault 50% chance this would not have happened too anyone if craig was there. he has said in many episodes no one goes in with the cats without craig. and why didnt the mum make sure that the handlers had protection with them i just hope shes happy shes distroying her son and his babies. he is there dad no animal or child should be taken from their dad or mum without a real good reason. here i cannot see one
(((((((
hi,my name is shirley i think that craig should be allowed back at zion gardens.the big cats need him.hope your back at zion gardens very soon.you are amazing with all the big cats.
craig i love you <3
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