Raglan woman Sarah Jones, one of the zoo keepers first on the scene of a fatal tiger attack at Hamilton Zoo earlier this year, used the tiger’s favourite toy to attract the tiger away from her colleague.
Sarah Jones’s bravery was described at a police bravery awards ceremony in Hamilton on Wednesday 9th. Sarah and her fellow keeper Monique Alexander were recognised for their courageous actions following the tiger attack on September 20 that resulted in their colleague Samantha Kudeweh being killed.
Waikato Police District Prevention Manager Inspector Kent Holdsworth said while presenting the awards that the pair had performed in a “heroic manner” in the moments after the attack.
Kudeweh, a mother of two, was killed by the 11-year-old Sumatran tiger Oz while carrying out routine duties inside the animal’s enclosure.
Two female Hamilton Zoo staff who tried unsuccessfully to save the life of their fellow keeper have received bravery awards.
Monique Alexander and Sarah Jones were presented with District Commander’s Commendations at a ceremony in Hamilton today for their role in trying to prevent the September tragedy.
Zookeeper Samantha Kudeweh, 43, was inside the enclosure of Sumatran tiger Oz, when she was mauled.
Samantha Kudeweh
Police top brass today described her co-workers actions as heroic.
“[Ms] Jones showed a core presence of mind in distracting the tiger with its favourite toy and led it into another enclosure, preventing further injuries to the public and fellow zoo staff,” says District Commander Bruce Bird.
Ms Alexander tried to save her colleague’s life with first aid in “difficult circumstances”.
WorkSafe New Zealand is still investigating the circumstances surrounding the Zoo curator’s death at the Council-run facility.
A coroner’s inquest will also take place next year.
Two Hamilton Zoo staff confronted by a tiger who had just mauled their colleague have been recognised for their quick-thinking actions.
Zoo keepers Sarah Jones and Monique Alexander were first to the enclosure of Oz the adult male tiger who had fatally attacked curator Samantha Kudeweh on September 20.
Mrs Kudeweh, a mother of two children, died of her injuries at the scene.
At this morning’s Waikato police Pay Parade Awards, Ms Jones and Ms Alexander were given bravery awards by Superintendent Bruce Bird.
Ms Jones was recognised for her heroic actions in extracting Oz from the scene with his favourite toy, while Ms Alexander tended to her critically injured colleague.
In a statement from the Hamilton City Council on behalf of the two women, the pair said they were “very humbled by the recognition”.
“Sam’s death was an extremely traumatic and distressing experience for the both of us. We have been trained in how to deal with an incident like this and when we discovered Sam we put that training into effect.
“With a number of investigations still under way we don’t think it’s appropriate to discuss the details of that day any further. We all miss Sam greatly each and every day, but due to the brilliant zoo team she created we are a strong and supportive zoo family at this tragic and devastating time.”