Zookeeper Dies After Leopard Attack at Beekse Bergen Safari Park
Investigation launched into incident involving two male Persian leopards inside their enclosure.
Carla Rooney
A female zookeeper died following a leopard attack at Beekse Bergen Safari Park in the Netherlands.
The attack occurred inside an enclosure housing two male Persian leopards. The zookeeper alerted colleagues using a walkie-talkie before undergoing emergency surgery.
Her condition worsened on Sunday evening. She passed away on Tuesday.
An ambulance and trauma helicopter dispatched to the park transported the woman for emergency surgery.
Safaripark Beekse Bergen will launch an independent investigation into the incident. The park stated the leopards behaved naturally and would not be euthanised.
Staff are normally prohibited from being in the same space as predators.
Safaripark Beekse Bergen claims staff are normally prohibited from being in the same space as predators. It remains unclear exactly what happened, as no cameras are inside the enclosure, Safaripark Beekse Bergen claims.
Colleagues found the woman after hearing her cry out for help over her walkie-talkie. The zoo stated the keeper had worked there for nearly 40 years, starting at age 17.