A humble man who downplayed his role in saving a fellow cat handler from an earlier tiger attack, Mr Mncube was himself yesterday fatally mauled by the park's largest tiger.
Mr Mncube, the right-hand man to "Lion Man" Craig Busch at Zion, was killed by a white male tiger while cleaning an enclosure with another keeper at the private wildlife sanctuary, made famous by the hit television show.
Despite the best efforts of staff members who rushed to his aid, the tiger would not let Mr Mncube go and he died at the scene from injuries to his head, torso and lower leg.
As many as 11 people saw the attack, including eight tourists and two children, who were last night receiving counselling, as were distressed park workers.
Police, the Department of Labour and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry have all launched investigations.
The coroner has been advised.
The tiger is believed to have been 260kg Abu, the same animal that attacked keeper Demetri Price in February.
During that attack, Mr Mncube plunged his fingers into the mouth of Abu then used a fire extinguisher to force the animal to release Mr Price.
"I never got scared," Mr Mncube said at the time.
"You stay nice and calm.
If I got scared and panicked we could have had two casualties..."
The white tiger, one of only 120 in the world, was put down and the park closed while investigations are under way.
Mr Mncube is survived by partner Sharon Arnott and 1-year-old daughter Starskea.
Mr Busch, fired from Zion by his estranged mother Patricia Busch, released a written statement yesterday that said he was deeply upset at the news of the attack.
He offered to assist the police and other authorities.
Former Auckland Zoo head Glen Holland was last year appointed as a "licensed operator" for Zion, as required by Maf, to be responsible for the animals.
Mr Holland said the attack on one of Zion's senior cat handlers was an "incredibly sad" day.
Mr Holland said the staff member was a "fantastic person, a personal friend", but Zion was unable to comment further due to the ongoing investigations.
Inspector Paul Dimery, of Northland, said it was being treated as a criminal investigation, but there was nothing to suggest the death was suspicious.
"But I'd rather be safe than sorry.
It's not very nice in there."
With nine years' experience, Mr Mncube was the most senior animal handler at Zion Wildlife.
Animal behaviourist Mark Vette told Campbell Live last night that big cats could attack at any time.
"They're the biggest predators in the world and they can kill a human like that."
Mr Vette, who trains animals for film and television, said it was always a risk entering a cage or enclosure with a wild animal inside.
"It's a professional skill, but it's a high-risk game."
