Sarah McClay tiger death: University plans memorial

Sarah McClay died at Royal Preston Hospital

A memorial is being planned at the university once attended by Sarah McClay, the zoo keeper who died after being mauled by a tiger.

Dr Andrew Ramsey, a conservation biologist at the University of Cumbria, said staff would consult her family on what to put in place.

Dr Ramsey said he and his colleagues were "in complete shock" at her death.

Ms McClay was attacked at South Lakes Wild Animal Park, near Dalton-in-Furness, Cumbria, on 24 May.

Dr Ramsey, who supervised Ms McClay when she wrote her dissertation, said staff remembered her "with great affection".

'Fun and popular'

"Sarah was a bubbly fun loving student, highly dedicated to conservation and a great influence on all those around her," he said.

"We are looking at ways that we can do something in Sarah's honour that will be a lasting memorial to this most warm, friendly, popular and talented of students."

His thoughts echoed those expressed by Sarah's brother, Stephen McClay, who described her as "fun" and "really popular".

The attack took place after a Sumatran tiger made its way into a staff section of the zoo's big cats enclosure and attacked Ms McClay.

She was subsequently taken to Preston Royal Hospital, where she later died.

Cumbria Police is making inquiries into how the tiger was able to get into the staff area.