Lion park staff give dignified goodbye 

Source: ONE News

A Whangarei lion park is struggling to cope with the tragedy of one of its keepers being mauled to death.
 
The Zion Wildlife Gardens shot to fame, as the setting for the TV series, The Lion Man, but is now at the centre of an investigation after senior keeper Dalu Mncube was attacked and killed by a tiger on Wednesday.

Park operator Glen Holland says management are trying to support Mncube's family, as well as staff. He says staff are devastated by the death and are being offered counselling.

ONE News has been told by staff that following Mncube's body being removed from the cage and put in a hearse, staff performed a Karakia (prayer) for him. The hearse was then driven around the park, passing all of the big cat cages, with staff members walking behind.

Staff say it was a dignified goodbye for a man who loved his job.

Police, MAF, and the Department of Labour are investigating the death. 

Whangarei Area Commander Inspector Paul Dimery says police are working closely with the Department of Labour. He says while he believes it will be an issue for the department rather than police, they have to be satisfied there is no criminality.

Holland says all of the correct safety measures had been put in place after previous attacks at the park.

He says staff have done an incredible job in the last six months to get everythign up to standard following a MAF report.

"They've done an incredible job and that's been recognised by MAF, but perhaps too little too late.

"There was a lot of work to be done and there are finite resources."

The park will be closed until further notice.