A zookeeper who was bitten by a Siberian tiger died Sunday after 14 days in a coma, according to Ajou University Hospital.

The 52-year-old zookeeper, identified by last name Shim, was mauled by the 3-year-old tiger in the neck and spine at a zoo in Seoul Grand Park on Nov 24.

According to the zoo officials, Shim was laying food outside the tiger compound when he was attacked. The tiger escaped through an enclosure door, but how the door came to be unlocked is unknown.

The tiger walked back into his compound about 30 minutes after the accident, and no other casualties occurred. 

By Suk Gee-hyun

(monicasuk@heraldcorp.com)