Zookeeper seriously injured in leopard attack at Dutch safari park

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 25 Oct, 20:19 · Archive

A zookeeper has been seriously injured after being attacked by a Persian leopard inside an enclosure at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in the Netherlands on Saturday morning. The woman, who is in her fifties and has worked at the park for 25 years, was discovered by a colleague around 11am. She had been working alone inside an indoor enclosure housing two male Persian leopards when the incident occurred. The Daily Mail reports that colleagues heard her crying out for help on walkie-talkies.

She was transported to hospital by trauma helicopter with severe head and neck injuries and underwent surgery. Park director Rens Willemsen said: 'It is a deeply, deeply sad day. With all my heart, I hope she recovers. She has serious injuries.' The Daily Mail reports that she remains in a coma, with her condition described as 'worrying' by Martin van Hees, head of animal care at the park. The exact circumstances of the attack remain unclear, as there are no cameras inside the enclosure. The animals had been kept indoors because of stormy weather, in accordance with safety protocols.

Mr van Hees confirmed that the leopard involved in the attack will not be put to sleep. He acknowledged the inherent risks of working with dangerous animals, saying: 'We know there is a risk when working with dangerous animals, but you never want to experience something like this.'

How it is being reported

• Zookeeper is fighting for her life after being mauled by a leopard at Netherlands park she had worked at since she was 17The woman was attacked after entering the enclosure of two male Persian leopards at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek on Saturday morning.Daily Mail · 25 Oct, 19:59
• Zookeeper seriously injured in big cat attack at Dutch safari parkIt is believed to be the enclosure used by Persian leopards, although the exact circumstances of the attack remain unclearThe Mirror · 24 Oct, 20:41

In this story: Safaripark Beekse Bergen · Hilvarenbeek · Rens Willemsen · Martin van Hees · Netherlands

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