A ZOOKEEPER from Chippenham killed by a tiger in what has been described as a freak accident has been remembered as a wonderful student, who went on to achieve her dream job, by her teachers.

Rosa King, 34, a former pupil at Hardenhuish School and Wiltshire College Lackham, died on Bank Holiday Monday at Hamerton Zoo Park in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, after being attacked by the big cat.

Yesterday police said they had begun an investigation into her death, after first saying it was being treated as a ‘non-suspicious incident’.

Teacher Chris Wood taught Ms King during Years 10 and 11 at Hardenhuish, when she was studying agriculture and horticulture practical skills.

He said: “She was a wonderful student, always very enthusiastic and willing to help with any tasks that needed doing, particularly with the sheep flock, where she’d always offer to do shepherding duties if one of the others was ill or forgot, she was totally trustworthy and dependable.”

Hardenhuish’s head Lisa Percy said: “We were saddened to hear that former Hardenhuish pupil Rosa King unfortunately lost her life while doing a job she clearly loved.

“Rosa left Hardenhuish to begin a course at Wiltshire College studying animal care. Our thoughts are with Rosa’s family, friends and colleagues.”

The King family are understood to have lived in York Close, off Hungerdown Lane, while Rosa was growing up. They moved some years ago.

Ms King studied for a National Certificate in Animal Care at Wiltshire College’s Lackham campus near Chippenham between 1999 and 2001.

Her mum, Andrea, said this week: “She wouldn’t have done anything else, it’s what she has always done, it’s what she has always loved.”

A spokesman for Wiltshire College said: “Rosa’s tutor remembers her as an excellent student who always wanted to become a zoo keeper and someone who was very passionate about the animals she worked with.

“Our thoughts are with Rosa’s family and friends at this very sad time.”

It is believed Ms King was attacked when she went into the tiger enclosure to help a colleague. Distressed staff threw raw meat in a desperate attempt to distract the tiger and help Ms King, before visitors at the park heard screams.

Police were called to the zoo and an air ambulance was on the scene 20 minutes later, with visitors evacuated from the attraction just before midday.

Hamerton Zoo Park has kept tigers since 2001 and has four, Sahaja, Cicip, Blizzard and Lady-Belle. Cambridgeshire Police said the tiger involved had not been put to sleep and was unharmed following the attack on Ms King.

The zoo remained closed on Tuesday and yesterday. A spokesman said: “It is with huge regret that we confirm that Rosa King, a senior zoo keeper who was an invaluable and highly respected member of our team, died on Monday morning after entering a tiger enclosure at Hamerton Zoo Park. Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with Rosa’s family and friends, many of whom worked alongside her at the zoo.

“We are co-operating fully with the investigation that is currently being conducted by Huntingdonshire District Council environmental health department.“The zoo will remain closed for the time being. We are not able to comment further at this time.”

The case has been referred to Cambridgeshire Coroner’s Office where a spokesman said an inquest would be opened next week.

Many tributes have been paid to Ms King, with floral tributes left outside the zoo and messages of support posted on Facebook.

Garry Chisholm, 59, a keen wildlife photographer who knew Ms King through visiting the zoo, said the place revolved around her.

“Rosa wasn’t just a keeper at Hamerton Zoo – she was Hamerton Zoo,” said Mr Chisholm, from Irchester, Northamptonshire.

“She was the absolute central point of it, the focal point of it. She was the shining light of it.

“It revolved around her.”

According to The Telegraph, the zoo had been criticised following an inspection in 2013 and was told by inspectors to improve its emergency communications systems.

The report, quoted in the paper, said: “Inspectors consider that reliance on mobiles to communicate in an emergency is not sufficient and the system needs to be upgraded to ensure that all relevant staff can be contacted simultaneously.”

In 2013 24-year-old Sarah McClay was killed by a tiger at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, near Dalton-in-Furness.