Public help sought to send body of tiger victim home for burial

Dalu Mncube. Photo / Beck Vass

Dalu Mncube will be farewelled today at the place he died as his friends and family appeal to the public to help take his body home to South Africa.

The big cat keeper, 26, was mauled to death by a 260kg white tiger, Abu, at Zion Wildlife Gardens in Whangarei on Wednesday, leaving behind his New Zealand wife, Sharon Arnott, and their 1-year-old daughter, Starskea, as well as extended family in South Africa.

Mr Mncube's brother Fortune Shumba told the Herald last night that taking his brother's body home was crucial as their elderly mother's grieving was on hold until she could see her son's body.

Mr Mncube was the oldest of six sons - four of whom still live in South Africa.

Mr Shumba said friends and family had been gathered with his mother in South Africa since they learned of Mr Mncube's death. They were telling stories and singing and would continue to do so until Mr Mncube was brought home to have a "normal African burial" close to his parents.

Although their father had passed away, it was part of South African culture to return home to your parents, Mr Shumba said.

"It's mainly for Dalu. It's what he would have wanted."

He said his brother had not planned to come to New Zealand but was offered an opportunity through "Lion Man" Craig Busch to work at Zion Wildlife Gardens, where he found a second home.

"He's not someone who wanted to immigrate but when he came here, he was comfortable."

Mr Shumba said his mother was extremely upset. "It's a very big blow. She can't even talk about it ... maybe until she sees the body. That's the main thing that she's talking about. If she could just get a chance to see anything - any part of her son's body, that would be all ... Even just seeing the hand or finger would make her soul rest."

He said his mother was grateful for all the support the family have received.

"She's thanking the New Zealand community for all their help. They really are appreciating everything."

Mr Mncube's funeral is at Zion Wildlife Gardens at 10.30am today.

TRUST FUNDS

Donations can be made to:

* The Zimbabwean Association of New Zealand's fund to take Mr Mncube's body home. Details - National Bank: 06-0101-0776318-00. Ref: Dalu Fund.

* The Dalu Mncube Family Trust - account name: Henderson Reeves Connell Rishworth Trust Account. Details: 03-0497-0286461-02. Reference: Dalu Family Trust.