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Report: Florida zookeeper screamed for help before fatal tiger attack

Stacey Konwiser feeds Berapi Api, a 10-year-old Malayan tiger who mothered three male cubs at the Palm Beach Zoo in 2011. Konwiser was killed April 15 when she was mauled by another tiger at the zoo.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — An autopsy report shows that a Florida zookeeper screamed for help into her radio before she was attacked and killed by a tiger earlier this year.

The Palm Beach County medical examiner determined Stacey Konwiser died of a crushed neck when attacked by the 350-pound male Malayan tiger on April 15 at the Palm Beach Zoo.

The 38-year-old Konwiser had entered the tiger pen to prepare for a presentation. The report released Friday says the tiger's cage was supposed to be locked, but it was open. Konwiser's co-workers ran to the tiger exhibit and found the tiger standing over her body.

Zoo officials have defended their decision not to shoot the rare tiger, saying they feared that a bullet could strike her or further enrage the tiger.

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