Tiger threatened after zookeeper's death

Zoo officials not blaming wild cat for Palm Beach Zoo employee's death

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – The tiger involved in the the death of a keeper at the Palm Beach Zoo is now the target of threats, a zoo spokeswoman said.

Stacey Konwiser, 38, was attacked last week in an enclosure known as the night house, where tigers sleep and are fed.

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Zoo officials and several law enforcement agencies are investigating what caused the male Malayan tiger to attack Konwiser. However, officials are not blaming the wild cat for his actions.

"The zoo continues to cooperate with multiple agencies involving the tragedy," Palm Beach Zoo spokeswoman Naki Carter said in a statement. "The zoo is an organization deeply committed to species survival. The zoo has no interest in assisting, allowing or encouraging blame on one of only 250 Malayan tigers remaining in existence."

Carter hasn't identified the tiger involved in the attack. The tiger was tranquilized after the attack and has since recovered.

Konwiser, who had worked at the zoo for three years, was taken to St. Mary's Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead. 

"The zoo has never had any other animal-related human deaths in its 60-year history," Carter said.

A fund has been created to support tiger conservation in honor of Konwiser.