A US zookeeper screamed into her radio for help before she was fatally attacked by a Malayan tiger, but the 158kg animal crushed her neck before her co-workers could reach her, a newly released autopsy report says.
The Palm Beach County medical examiner determined that Stacey Konwiser, 38, died of a fractured spine, a lacerated jugular and other neck injuries suffered when she was attacked on April 15 by the tiger named Hati.
The big male cat, then 12 years old, had been at the zoo for two years on loan from a zoo in Fort Worth, Texas.
Konwiser had entered the tigers' night house, an area where the animals ate and slept that was not visible to the public, to prepare for a presentation.
The report by medical examiner investigator Aleita J. Kinman says the tiger's cage was supposed to be locked, but it was open, and Konwiser's view of the animal may have been blocked by a large box inside the enclosure.
Hearing her screams, Konwiser's co-workers had rushed to the tiger exhibit and found the tiger standing over her body.
Zoo officials have defended their decision not to shoot the rare tiger, saying they feared a bullet could strike Konwiser or further enrage Hati if it didn't kill him instantly.
Instead they shot him with a tranquiliser dart after trying unsuccessfully to lure him into a cage. Paramedics were able to reach her 17 minutes after the attack. She was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead.
No cameras were operating in the area of the attack. Officials have said they are only used to monitor breeding efforts, so were turned off.
There are only about 300 adult Malayan tigers in the wild and they are considered endangered.
