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A zookeeper has died after being mauled by a rare white tiger at a zoo in south-west Japan.
Wildlife officials said the 40- year-old man was found bleeding from the neck in the animal’s enclosure at the Hirakawa Zoological Park in the city of Kagoshima on Monday.
Akira Furusho was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital after apparently being attacked by one of four white tigers kept at the zo, local media reports.
The tiger thought to be responsible was sedated with a tranquilliser after the attack as rescue workers and police rushed to the scene. There was no immediate word on its condition.
It remains unclear what triggered the attack, which occurred after the zoo has closed for the day.
The attack on Furusho was the second involving a zoo employee in Japan this year.