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Memorial for Dalu Mncube this morning

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Tue, 02 Jun 2009 12:00a.m.

Dalu Mncube

Dalu Mncube

A private memorial service is to be held in Whangarei this morning for a zoo keeper mauled to death at the Zion Wildlife Gardens.

The body of 26-year-old South African Dalu Mncube was returned to the park on Sunday so the ceremony can go ahead today.

It is restricted to family and close friends and work colleagues, and it was reported at the weekend that the organisers want the wildlife park's former boss Craig Busch to stay away.

He has been locked out since a bitter dispute blew up with his mother over ownership of the complex.

The issue was before the Employment Relations Authority when Mr Mncube was attacked by a 260kg white tiger last week.

Meanwhile, friends of Mr Mncube revealed yesterday he had told them he wanted to be buried in South Africa if anything happened to him, and they have launched an appeal to cover the $12,000 cost of returning his body home.

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Comments

15 May 2011 11:28a.m.

meg H wrote:

I have only justlearned of the tragic death of Dalu Mncube and am very shocked and saddened by it. However I am equally saddened and shocked by the death of the beautiful tiger. Abu was a wild animal no matter how much contact he had with humans. Noone seems to know why he attacked but something must have upset him. Humans are allowed to kill animals for no reason at all but if an animal kills a human then it must be destroyed. Human reasoning! It is such a sad irony that Dalu, who loved and respected animals, was the victim of whatever spooked Abu. A double tragedy.

03 Apr 2010 10:42p.m.

Liz Downey wrote:

Yes, tigers and lions are wild animals. I think those who choose to work with them are fully aware of this. Especially Craig Busch. I find it bizarre that anyone would criticize him for not having respect for these animals: what more can you do for an animal when you protect, love and conserve it as an individual and as a species? The threat that wild animals pose to us is real, which is why there will always be saddening events such as the tragic death of Dalu Mncube. But we are not an endangered species. Not even close. Those who have the privilege to influence the fate of these species will be remembered in time. It angers and frustrates me that the general media frequently concern themselves with discrediting individuals and organisations due to isolated incidents at any opportunity. Most will be remembered for their cynical and ignorant attitude, their opinions often published for the sake of profit. Then there are people like Craig Busch, Dalu Mncube and Steve Irwin, who will be remembered with admiration and reverence for doing everything in their power to prevent the extinction of these species with passion and commitment. They loved the animals they worked with for the wild element that was their nature, regrettably this is the same reason that others want to condemn them.