Hamerton Zoo staff launch campaign to build memorial to Rosa King
Keeper Rosa King - Credit: Archant
Staff at Hamerton Zoo have launched a campaign to raise money for a memorial to keeper Rosa King.
Rosa King - Credit: Archant
Ms King, 33, died on May 29 after a tiger entered an enclosure in which she was working.
An inquest into the zoo keeper’s death heard that she died from ‘multiple traumatic injuries’ and the zoo was closed for more than a fortnight while an investigation by Cambridgeshire police and Huntingdonshire District Council was conducted.
The zoo is expected to reopen to the public again tomorrow (Friday).
In an announcement made on Thursday, Kim May, who worked with Ms King for two years at Hamerton, said that staff wanted to create an area at the zoo where visitors could go and pay their respects.
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On a JustGiving page set up by staff, Ms May said: “Rosa was a treasured daughter and sister, a valued team member and a truly wonderful, friendly and inspirational person to all the staff at Hamerton Zoo Park and to everyone that knew her.
“She loved the big cats and was always trying to think of a ways - alongside the other keepers - to make our visitors aware of the animals’ plight and that we needed to conserve our environment and raise funds for the organisations we supported and to always have fun in doing so.
Hamerton Zoo. Picture: GOOGLE - Credit: Archant
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“We are planning to have an area in the zoo where people can come and remember her and would like your support.”
A fundraising target of £1,800 has been set, with hundreds of pounds already having been pledged.
Ms May added: “When we reach our target, any excess donations will be contributed to Cheetah Conservation Foundation, which was a charity close to Rosa’s heart.
“We appreciate all your kind words and memories of Rosa and Hamerton Zoo Park and we thank you for your support.”
The inquest hearing into Ms King’s death was adjourned and is scheduled to re-open again on November 23 for a pre-inquest review.
Ms King, from Hamerton, was described by her parents, Andrea and Peter King, as a “dedicated professional”.
Hamerton Zoo confirmed earlier last week that the tiger involved in the incident would not be put down.
To donate, log on to www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rosa-king?utm_id=60&utm_term=Px5zZzbkZ.
