Tiger kills worker in Spanish zoo

A worker at the Terra Natura wildlife park on the eastern coast of Spain was killed by an Asian tiger late on Saturday night after leaving a door to the animal's cage open.

Terra Natura confirmed the victim was a woman who had worked at the park for eight years and she was killed due to "a loss of concentration," leaving the door to the tigers' area half open.

One of the animals took advantage of the open door to go into the area where the worker was and then attacked and killed her.

Terra Natura has issued a communique explaining that the park "has a strict security protocol for the management of the animals."

The worker came into direct contact with the animal while she was carrying out cleaning work in the interior cages, according to the park.

"Only authorized personnel" had access to where the attack took place and that it was "not in public view," according to the park.

"As soon as the attack was detected, emergency services were called, after which the animal was sedated," informs the park, which "deeply regrets" the death and "sends its condolences to her family and friends. Endit