Dutch zookeeper dies from injuries after leopard attack
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A zookeeper who was mauled by a leopard at a Dutch safari park over the weekend has died.
Beekse Bergen announced the female zookeeper’s death in a statement on Tuesday, describing her as a longtime employee who has worked at the zoo for nearly 40 years.
The attack happened in an enclosure at the zoo in the town of Hilvarenbeek on Saturday, while the unidentified zookeeper was caring for two male Persian leopards, DutchNews reported.
With the powerful Storm Austen sweeping through the Netherlands and the rest of western Europe on Friday, the leopards were kept in an indoor enclosure.
As there are no security cameras in the facility, it’s unclear exactly what happened, but it’s considered unusual for zoo staff to enter enclosures with the animals.
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Woman suffered serious injuries to her head and neck
During the horrific attack, the zookeeper sustained injuries to her head and neck, but managed to call for help using her walkie-talkie.
She was rushed to a local hospital where she underwent emergency surgery, but she died of her injuries.
“Her passing has deeply affected us all, and our hearts go out to her family, friends, and loved ones,” Beekse Bergen said in a statement in Dutch posted on its website .
The zoo said it is currently focused on providing support to her family and her colleagues, adding that a space will be set up within the park where condolences can be left.
An independent investigation into the deadly incident is underway, the zoo added.
A zoo spokesperson told Omroep Brabant , a local media outlet, that the leopards were behaving normally.
“They are, and remain, predators,” the zoo official said in Dutch.