Tiger death blamed on ‘judgment error’

Sarah McClay, 24, was attacked by a Sumatran tiger at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, in Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, on Friday afternoon.

Police said an elaborate enclosure of gates means the animals and its keepers should remain apart at all times – but this
system failed with fatal consequences.

Detectives said yesterday they do not suspect foul play or suicide but that Ms McClay was doing her routine duties in an enclosure which animals are not allowed access too – when she has then been confronted by the animal which has somehow managed to gain access to the pen.

Police are now trying to establish whether this was due to a technical fault or human error.

The family of Ms McClay said in a statement released through Cumbria Police: “We’d like to thank you all for your kind words. We are still coming to terms with what has happened.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank the valiant efforts of Cumbria Ambulance Service, the North West Air Ambulance and the Royal Preston Hospital.

“Investigations are ongoing and it may be some time before a full picture emerges of what happened and how this tragic accident came to pass.”

Detective Chief Inspector Bob Qazi from Cumbria Police said: “We are still trying to establish exactly how and why the tiger has been able to get from the pen into the staff area and at the moment believe this to be because of a human or system error, or mechanical failing, or combination of both.”

David Gill, the owner and founder of South Lakes Wild Animal Park, said Ms McClay died because of “keeper error” and a “sad error of judgment”.

Writing on the park’s Facebook page, Mr Gill said: “We have made a statement that from the investigations that have taken place it is clear that this tragedy was caused by a sad error
of judgment and breach of
protocols, in essence, keeper error.”