A woman has died after a tiger injured her inside a contained area at the Palm Beach Zoo, according to St. Mary's Medical Center spokesman Ryan Lieber.
The victim was flown by Trauma Hawk to St. Mary's for treatment, according to Naki Carter, a zoo spokesperson.
She passed away after being in critical condition.
The tiger is a male Malayan tiger. Carter said the woman was very knowledgeable about the tigers and loved them dearly.
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The tiger was tranquilized and rescue workers were waiting for the drugs to take effect so they can safely attend to the victim, according to West Palm Beach Police spokesperson Lori Colombino.
The severity of the injury is unknown at this time. The zoo says that the situation was handled according to protocols that are in place for such incidents.
Colombino and the zoo say the tiger contained in an area and that guests are not at risk.
A number of zoo guests were initially ushered into the gift shop as a precaution.
Trauma Hawk rushes victim injured by tiger to St. Mary's Medical Center. Woman in critical condition @WPTV pic.twitter.com/yBq6tFQEOv
— Michelle Quesada (@M_Quesada) April 15, 2016
Zoo spokesperson confirms employee injured. Zoo closed for the rest of the day, investigation underway @WPTV pic.twitter.com/rPTZoZP6DF
— Austin Carter (@AustinWPTV) April 15, 2016
Crews clearing out after a person was injured in a tiger attack at Palm Beach Zoo @WPTV pic.twitter.com/qVHKzIZQXe
— Austin Carter (@AustinWPTV) April 15, 2016
One person transported via trauma hawk at zoo. Condition unknown. Zoo closed for now. @WPTV @Fox29WFLX pic.twitter.com/Yr9UoEfJdW
— Alex Hagan (@AlexHagan_WPTV) April 15, 2016
This family found themselves locked in zoo gift shop. Police say tiger injured a Zookeeper. @WPTV @Fox29WFLX pic.twitter.com/SWbiyV5snY
— Alex Hagan (@AlexHagan_WPTV) April 15, 2016
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