Sarah McClay, 24, from the Barrow area in Cumbria, was in the tiger enclosure at a zoo in the Lake District when she was attacked.
Police are investigating whether systems keeping the animals separate from keepers 'failed' at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, Dalton-in-Furness.
But Owner David Gill said it was 'not the park's fault' and that Miss McClay had broken safety protocols by going into the tiger enclosure while the animals were loose.
Killed: Keeper Sarah McClay died after being mauled by a tiger at the zoo where she worked
Zoo keeper: Miss McClay was described as a happy, bubbly woman who loved her job at the animal park
'Not the park's fault': Owner David Gill said neither the zoo or the tiger was to blame for the death of keeper Sarah McClay
Mauled: Sarah McClay died after being attacked by a tiger at South Lakes Wild Animal Park. One of the park's tigers is pictured
Ambulance crews said Miss McClay had suffered ‘very traumatic injuries’ to her head and neck and went into cardiac arrest.
She was resuscitated by paramedics and airlifted to Royal Preston Hospital following the attack at around 4pm yesterday, but she later died.
Mr Gill told Sky News that zoo staff had heard a scream over the radio and ran to the scene.
'Within two minutes we had firearms on scene but sadly we just could not get a clean shot to do anything about it because of exactly where the animal was, so we did our best, we moved around to find a shot,' he said.
'Very, very quickly I let off two shots to frighten the animals and it did what it needed to do which was to lift them off and they ran back into the house and other keepers locked them up.
'Once we knew we were secure and safe we went into the enclosure to retrieve Sarah.'
Visitors were asked to leave the wildlife park yesterday before it closed early. It has reopened today.
Police and Barrow Borough Council are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Today officers issued a statement saying: 'Sarah fell victim to an attack by a Sumatran tiger whilst, police believe, going about her routine duties in the big cat enclosure building.
'The enclosure concerned consists of a number of compartments both indoor and outdoor connected by lockable doors. Keepers are required to enter various parts enclosures in the course of their routine duties.
'However, systems are in place to ensure that animals and keepers remain apart at all times. At some stage this has failed and the animal and Sarah came together with tragic consequences. The police are working to establish whether this was a result of human or technical factors.'
Police are not treating the death as a criminal investigation but said they were keeping 'an open mind' about what caused the tragedy.
Mr Gill said Miss McClay had worked at the wildlife park for a number of years and was ‘very proficient’ in her work with big cats.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday: ‘After investigation by the authorities here and the police, it does seem that she just basically failed to follow the correct procedures.
‘For some unknown reason, an inexplicable reason, because there is no reason for why she did it, she opened the door and went into the tiger enclosure and straight into the tigers, and now we'll never know why.’
He said that it was against strict safety protocols to walk into the tiger's cage, adding that the zoo had passed a major inspection on Monday, in which it was praised for its safety standards.
The incident happened at about 4pm, when staff were working as normal and the park was open to the public.
Mr Gill told the BBC: ‘An emergency call went out over the radio and we responded immediately. I was on the scene within 30 seconds.
‘It was just unfortunate that everything happened so quick. It's so difficult to talk about because it was so upsetting.
‘We moved all the public back of course. I think one member of the public did witness a part of the attack but I don't think there was anyone else who saw that.’
Emphasising that at no point was there any threat to the public, he said: ‘It just seems quite inexplicable. None of us have been able to come up with a really reasonable conclusion.
‘All we know is that no one else was involved, there was nobody with her, and for some unknown reason she opened a door and walked straight into the tigers.’
Mr Gill described Miss McClay as ‘a very passionate girl, very enthusiastic’ who was ‘extremely good at delivering conservation talks. A very valued part of our team. A very bubbly character, a very happy girl.’
Mr Gill added the park would stay open following the death.
‘There was a huge consensus of opinion (among staff) that we should carry on,’ he said. ‘It's not the park's fault if you will. It's not going to do anybody any good if we closed.’
He also said there were no plans to put down the animal - a Sumatran tiger which has been at the park for 10 years since it was a cub.
He said: ‘He didn't make the mistake. He was just there. It's so difficult because we don't blame him for what has happened.
‘It would be very much a tragedy for him. He's one of the rarest animals in the world, a Sumatran tiger, and it's something we don't want to do.’
He also defended his earlier comments after some social media users said they were 'insensitive'.
He said: 'We are very aware of the sensitive nature of the situation but after full consultation with Sarah's work colleagues. They have decided to continuing to open the park.
'Here is not the place for insensitive comments, the staff are distraught at yesterdays events. If any comment made in the hours after the tragedy of yesterday were interpreted as offensive then we sincerely apologise, it was certainly not intended to be so, you have no idea how desperately upset we all are and to receive the sick and offensive remarks that we did was distressing and has caused serious trauma to all Sarah's colleagues at the Zoo.
'We would be grateful for your support, your understanding and your prayers. the staff are in shock at the loss of one of their closest friends and do not need negativity at this time.
'Thank you for all the many messages of care, love and support. We all need you to understand our grief as well as your own concerns.
'The park is a very safe environment and never at any stage were any other public or staff in danger. We have been given the all clear by the authorities after initial investigations yesterday and we hope you will allow us all to work through this tragic event.'
The South Lakes Wild Animal Park,
which attracts about 500,000 visitors each year, claims to be one of the
best conservation zoos in the UK.
It houses three Sumatran tigers and a 17-year-old Amur tiger.
Its website says: ‘We are holding them as ambassadors for their species to raise awareness.’
The 17-acre site was established by animal nutritionist Mr Gill, 42, ten years ago.
He had no experience of running a zoo but started building the attraction himself because of ‘a desire to see education and conservation brought into the public awareness by the reality of a close, wild experience’.
He still designs and builds all the facilities at the zoo with the help of staff.
Last night, zoo visitors took to the internet to express concern for the keeper.
Paul Bennett tweeted: 'Shocking news about zookeeper Sarah McClay. Visited South Lakes Animal Park just last Saturday and she seemed a nice lass. Horrible stuff.'
Debbie Roosa wrote on Facebook: 'RIP Sarah. You were amazing at your job which you obviously loved, your passion shone through when you did your talk. Thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues.'
In a statement, Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: 'The death of Sarah McClay has shaken the community, everyone's thoughts and prayers will be with her family and her friends and colleagues at the animal park.
'I hope the rigorous investigation that is now necessary will be carried out as soon as possible to strengthen safety at this local institution.'
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Police and Barrow Borough Council are investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Today officers issued a statement saying: 'Sarah fell victim to an attack by a Sumatran tiger whilst, police believe, going about her routine duties in the big cat enclosure building.
'The enclosure concerned consists of a number of compartments both indoor and outdoor connected by lockable doors. Keepers are required to enter various parts enclosures in the course of their routine duties.
'However, systems are in place to ensure that animals and keepers remain apart at all times. At some stage this has failed and the animal and Sarah came together with tragic consequences. The police are working to establish whether this was a result of human or technical factors.'
Police are not treating the death as a criminal investigation but said they were keeping 'an open mind' about what caused the tragedy.
Mr Gill said Miss McClay had worked at the wildlife park for a number of years and was ‘very proficient’ in her work with big cats.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live yesterday: ‘After investigation by the authorities here and the police, it does seem that she just basically failed to follow the correct procedures.
‘For some unknown reason, an inexplicable reason, because there is no reason for why she did it, she opened the door and went into the tiger enclosure and straight into the tigers, and now we'll never know why.’
He said that it was against strict safety protocols to walk into the tiger's cage, adding that the zoo had passed a major inspection on Monday, in which it was praised for its safety standards.
The incident happened at about 4pm, when staff were working as normal and the park was open to the public.
Mr Gill told the BBC: ‘An emergency call went out over the radio and we responded immediately. I was on the scene within 30 seconds.
‘It was just unfortunate that everything happened so quick. It's so difficult to talk about because it was so upsetting.
‘We moved all the public back of course. I think one member of the public did witness a part of the attack but I don't think there was anyone else who saw that.’
Emphasising that at no point was there any threat to the public, he said: ‘It just seems quite inexplicable. None of us have been able to come up with a really reasonable conclusion.
‘All we know is that no one else was involved, there was nobody with her, and for some unknown reason she opened a door and walked straight into the tigers.’
Mr Gill described Miss McClay as ‘a very passionate girl, very enthusiastic’ who was ‘extremely good at delivering conservation talks. A very valued part of our team. A very bubbly character, a very happy girl.’
Tribute: Park owner David Gill said Miss McClay was a happy, bubbly girl who was good at her job
Rescue: Police outside the South Lakes Animal Park in Dalton, Cumbria
He said that Miss McClay's death was
the second tragedy for the park this month, after another employee was
killed in a road accident.
Police said Miss McClay's family were ‘very shocked and distressed’ and had requested privacy to grieve.
A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said paramedics were on the scene within nine minutes.
‘We sent an ambulance and helicopter and she was air lifted to hospital in Preston. She was extremely ill, the spokesman said.
‘They were very traumatic injuries. She was very badly mauled. She went into cardiac arrest at the scene.
‘The crews performed CPR on her and managed to bring her back so that she could be flown by helicopter.
‘The crews who were there were offered counselling afterwards, as is standard procedure with this kind of incident.’
Police said Miss McClay's family were ‘very shocked and distressed’ and had requested privacy to grieve.
A spokesman for North West Ambulance Service said paramedics were on the scene within nine minutes.
‘We sent an ambulance and helicopter and she was air lifted to hospital in Preston. She was extremely ill, the spokesman said.
‘They were very traumatic injuries. She was very badly mauled. She went into cardiac arrest at the scene.
‘The crews performed CPR on her and managed to bring her back so that she could be flown by helicopter.
‘The crews who were there were offered counselling afterwards, as is standard procedure with this kind of incident.’
South Lakes Wild Animal Park in Dalton-in-Furness was closed early after the attack
‘There was a huge consensus of opinion (among staff) that we should carry on,’ he said. ‘It's not the park's fault if you will. It's not going to do anybody any good if we closed.’
He also said there were no plans to put down the animal - a Sumatran tiger which has been at the park for 10 years since it was a cub.
He said: ‘He didn't make the mistake. He was just there. It's so difficult because we don't blame him for what has happened.
‘It would be very much a tragedy for him. He's one of the rarest animals in the world, a Sumatran tiger, and it's something we don't want to do.’
'The staff are in shock at the loss of one of their closest friends... you have no idea how desperately upset we all are.'
- David Gill, owner of South Lakes Wild Animal Park
Mr Gill posted a further statement on
the zoo's Facebook page today, after members of the public said it was
'disgusting' that the park had reopened the day after the event.- David Gill, owner of South Lakes Wild Animal Park
He also defended his earlier comments after some social media users said they were 'insensitive'.
He said: 'We are very aware of the sensitive nature of the situation but after full consultation with Sarah's work colleagues. They have decided to continuing to open the park.
'Here is not the place for insensitive comments, the staff are distraught at yesterdays events. If any comment made in the hours after the tragedy of yesterday were interpreted as offensive then we sincerely apologise, it was certainly not intended to be so, you have no idea how desperately upset we all are and to receive the sick and offensive remarks that we did was distressing and has caused serious trauma to all Sarah's colleagues at the Zoo.
'We would be grateful for your support, your understanding and your prayers. the staff are in shock at the loss of one of their closest friends and do not need negativity at this time.
'Thank you for all the many messages of care, love and support. We all need you to understand our grief as well as your own concerns.
'The park is a very safe environment and never at any stage were any other public or staff in danger. We have been given the all clear by the authorities after initial investigations yesterday and we hope you will allow us all to work through this tragic event.'
In captivity: One of the tigers at the South Lakes Wild Animal Park, which was not involved in the attack
Closed: Animal enclosures sit empty for the night at South Lakes Wild Animal Park near Dalton-in-Furness
It houses three Sumatran tigers and a 17-year-old Amur tiger.
Its website says: ‘We are holding them as ambassadors for their species to raise awareness.’
The 17-acre site was established by animal nutritionist Mr Gill, 42, ten years ago.
He had no experience of running a zoo but started building the attraction himself because of ‘a desire to see education and conservation brought into the public awareness by the reality of a close, wild experience’.
He still designs and builds all the facilities at the zoo with the help of staff.
Last night, zoo visitors took to the internet to express concern for the keeper.
Paul Bennett tweeted: 'Shocking news about zookeeper Sarah McClay. Visited South Lakes Animal Park just last Saturday and she seemed a nice lass. Horrible stuff.'
Debbie Roosa wrote on Facebook: 'RIP Sarah. You were amazing at your job which you obviously loved, your passion shone through when you did your talk. Thoughts are with your family, friends and colleagues.'
In a statement, Barrow and Furness MP John Woodcock said: 'The death of Sarah McClay has shaken the community, everyone's thoughts and prayers will be with her family and her friends and colleagues at the animal park.
'I hope the rigorous investigation that is now necessary will be carried out as soon as possible to strengthen safety at this local institution.'
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