An experienced zookeeper in the Netherlands has died after being mauled by a leopard at a safari park where she had worked for four decades.
Image of leopard used for illustrative purposes/Edmund Loh/Unsplash
The woman, who began her career at Beekse Bergen Safari Park at the age of 17, was caring for two Persian leopards inside an indoor enclosure when the attack occurred on Saturday.
She suffered serious injuries to her head and neck and underwent emergency surgery. However, the park, located in the southern Netherlands, confirmed her death on Tuesday.
According to the BBC, an independent investigation will be launched to establish the circumstances surrounding the incident.
ALSO READ:
Cape Town woman fined R250 000 over illegal keeping of 145 reptiles
Leopards were moved indoors due to bad weather
The two leopards had reportedly been moved inside because of poor weather conditions. It remains unclear exactly what happened inside the enclosure, as there are no CCTV cameras in the area.
Despite her injuries, the keeper reportedly managed to alert colleagues using her walkie-talkie. She was airlifted to hospital in a critical condition, according to local media reports.
A spokesperson for the park told local broadcaster Omroep Brabant that the leopards had been behaving naturally and would not be euthanised following the incident.
“They are, and remain, predators,” the spokesperson said.
Park mourns experienced keeper
In a statement, Beekse Bergen said the keeper’s death had deeply affected staff and that its immediate priority was supporting her family, friends and colleagues.
The park also announced plans to establish a memorial area where visitors and staff could leave messages of condolence.
The incident highlights the inherent risks involved in working closely with large predators, even for experienced animal-care professionals.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
ALSO READ:
Bangladesh’s hornbills face a hidden threat during breeding season
