OMM Newsroom
An experienced zookeeper in the Netherlands has died days after being mauled in a leopard enclosure, “Beekse Bergen” safari park confirmed. BBC reported that the woman had worked at the park for 40 years.
The keeper was caring for two Persian leopards in an indoor facility when she was attacked on Saturday. She suffered injuries to her head and neck and underwent surgery, but the park confirmed her death on Tuesday.
“Beekse Bergen”, in the south of the Netherlands, said she began her career there at the age of 17 and had worked at the park on and off for four decades.
“Her passing has deeply affected us all, and our hearts go out to her family, friends, and loved ones. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting her family and her colleagues,” the park said in a statement.
The two leopards, which are usually kept away from staff, had been brought indoors because of bad weather. The park said the exact circumstances of the attack were unclear because there are no CCTV cameras inside the enclosure.
Local news website “NL Times” reported that, despite her injuries, the keeper managed to alert colleagues using her walkie-talkie. She was taken to hospital by helicopter in critical condition and died days later.
A park spokesperson told local media outlet “Omroep Brabant” that the leopards were behaving naturally and would not be euthanised.
“They are, and remain, predators.”
“Beekse Bergen” said it would create a memorial location where guests and staff could share their condolences.
The park said an independent investigation into the incident would be launched.
