Rare white tiger mauls zookeeper to death in Japan

A rare white tiger mauled a zookeeper to death in its enclosure in Japan, officials said.

The tiger attacked and killed the 40-year-old keeper who was found bleeding from the neck in its cage on Monday.

A tranquilliser gun was used by rescue workers to sedate it before they could get to the man, named as Akira Furusho.

He was pronounced dead in hospital.

The killing took place at Hirakawa Zoological Park in the southern city of Kagoshima.

The male tiger is named Riku and is five years old, according to Japan's Kyodo news agency. It is about 1.8 meters in length and weighs about 170 kilograms.

It is understood to be one of four tigers at the park.

Police are now said to be investigating how the zoo looks after its white tigers.