A Palm Beach, Florida, Zoo keeper died Friday after being attacked by a tiger, zoo spokeswoman Naki Carter said.

The 38-year-old Stacey Konwiser was lead tiger keeper at the zoo. He was killed by a 13-year-old male Malayan tiger, one of four at the facility. Carter said the tiger attacked the keeper in the contained area where the animals are fed and sleep.

Zoo officials said that Konwiser did nothing out of the norm as she worked in the enclosure, known as the tiger night house. Since the tiger was off-exhibit when it attacked Konwiser, no guests could see what happened. Carter said the tiger was never on the loose.

West Palm Beach police tranquilized the tiger and officers kept waiting until the drugs took effect before they could reach the victim. Konwiser was taken by helicopter to St. Mary's Medical Center.

Carter said Konwiser joined the zoo three years ago and was very experienced with tigers. Her husband, Jeremy Konwiser, is also a trainer at the zoo. "This was her specialty," she said. "She loved tigers. You don't get into this business without the love for the animals and understanding the danger that's involved even more."

Carter said that Konwiser had a special bond with the tigers. "I kind of referred to her as a tiger whisperer," she said. "They spoke to each other in a language that only they could understand. And I can't put into words or make you understand for anyone who didn't know Stacey how much she loved these tigers and how much this zoo family loved her. And while she's no longer with us, her memory will live on."