Appeal to send tiger victim's body to Zimbabwe

Dalu Mncube was fatally mauled by a white tiger. Photo / Sandee Ryan

A public appeal has been launched for funds to send the body of wildlife keeper Dalu Mncube back to Zimbabwe to allow his parents to pay their last respects.

Mr Mncube, 26, died on Wednesday after being attacked by a 260kg tiger as he cleaned its enclosure at the Zion Wildlife Gardens in Whangarei.

A memorial service is to held at the park tomorrow.

However, Mr Mncube's funeral has not yet been finalised as the Zimbabwe Association of New Zealand tries to raise enough money to send his body back to his parents in Hwange.

Association spokesman Japhat Ncube today estimated the cost of doing that would be about $10,000.

He said the association had opened a National Bank account called the Dalu Fund for donations.

"We know the parents want closure," he said.

"It's cultural that they need the body back home. They are hoping their son is repatriated and they can pay their last respects."

While Mr Mncube had South African citizenship, he was born in Zimbabwe.

His parents were devastated by his death, Mr Ncube said.

"Nobody would have expected this to happen," he said.

"He came from Africa, where there are plenty of animals, and you come so far away from home and you are killed by animal. They just can't believe it."

Meanwhile, Zion has set up the Dalu Mncube Family Trust, with donations to be held in trust for Mr Mncube's children.

- NZPA