Zion Wildlife Gardens to face charges

Dalu Mncube. Photo / Beck Vass

Whangarei's Zion Wildlife Gardens will face charges over the death of animal handler Dalu Mncube, the Department of Labour said today.

Mr Mncube, 26, died in May after being attacked by a 260kg tiger as he cleaned its enclosure at the gardens.

Charges have been laid under the Health and Safety Act for "failing to take all practicable steps to ensure the safety of employees while at work" and "failing to take all practicable steps to ensure that no hazard that is, or arises in, the place or work harms people who are lawfully at work as employees of a contractor".

The department said it would not name who was being charged until the first court appearance.

- NZPA