Zoo worker dies in leopard attack
A zookeeper was mauled by a leopard in a Netherlands safari park and died four days after the attack.
A zookeeper worked at The Beekse Bergen Safari Park in the Netherlands. A leopard attacked her on Saturday morning.
Her injuries proved fatal. The woman was in her 50s.
She had worked at the zoo on and off since she was 17. She spent eight years working with the leopards.
The zookeeper was attacked in the leopard enclosure. She called for help on her radio.
Her colleagues ran to the scene. Emergency services and a medical helicopter were called.
She was admitted to the hospital in critical condition. But she got worse and died on Wednesday.
An independent investigation is underway. It will determine why she was alone in the enclosure.
A storm had moved the leopards inside that day. It is not clear if she knew about this.
Zoo staff must usually work in pairs inside predator enclosures. The zoo said none of the leopards will be killed.
- The Beekse Bergen Safari Park, Netherlands
- Location
- Eight years working with leopards
- Leopard experience
- Saturday morning around 11am
- Attack timing
- Wednesday, four days after attack
- Death
Why it mattersThis incident shows the extreme dangers that wildlife workers face. These risks exist even with decades of experience.
AustraliaNo direct Australian effect, though Australian zoos operate under similar safety standards and may review enclosure protocols following this incident.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
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