City officials posted on social media that the attack took place in the morning in Pitesti, a city in central Romania.
A preliminary investigation by police revealed the 52-year-old victim, an employee of Pitesti Zoo, entered the tiger’s cage without complying with safety protocol and was savaged by the animal, according to the release.
The employee had worked at the zoo since 2015, officials announced. It was the first such attack in 50 years at the zoo.
Officials said an internal investigation is underway.
The city’s mayor, Cristian Gentea shared thoughts with he victim’s family in a post on his Facebook page, adding that he ordered a pause on activities at the zoo while the investigation is carried out.
Witnesses told Romanian outlet Evenimentul Zilei the attack was extremely violent, and a criminal case for manslaughter has been opened by local police.
Zoo leaders and workers were deeply affected by the incident, officials wrote in the news release.
