Charges laid over lion keeper's death

Dalu Mncube. Photo / Beck Vass

Charges have been laid over the death of lion keeper Dalu Mncube at Zion Wildlife Gardens in Whangarei last year, the Department of Labour says.

Mr Mncube, 26, was mauled to death by a 260kg white tiger in May as he and another keeper cleaned the animal's enclosure.

Tourists watched in horror as Mr Mncube, 26, was fatally mauled by a 260kg white tiger while he and another keeper were cleaning the animal's enclosure.

The second keeper had tried to use a length of wood to beat the tiger off the stricken man until another staff member was able to shoot the big cat dead.

Representatives of Zion Wildlife Gardens would appear in Whangarei District Court tomorrow to face four charges, The Northern Advocate reported.

It was understood all charges were laid against Zion Wildlife Gardens as an entity and no individuals were charged.

However, a spokesman for the Department of Labour said he was unable to confirm that the charges were laid against individuals or an entity for legal reasons.

Two charges were laid under Section 6 of the Health and Safety in Employment Act for "failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work".

The other charges were laid under Section 16 of the Act for "failing to take all practicable steps to ensure no hazard that is, or arises in, the place of work harms people who are lawfully at work as employees of a contractor".

The wildlife park on the outskirts of Whangarei gained fame through the Lion Man television series that was broadcast in New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

- NZPA with NZHERALD STAFF