At around 11am local time yesterday (24 October), a zookeeper was working in a big cat enclosure in the Netherlands.
Beekse Bergen Zoo in Hilvarenbeek reports that the woman, said to be ‘in her fifties’, was attacked by a leopard.
Other zoo staff had heard her cries for help, and she was found in the enclosure, and her colleagues provided first aid before a trauma helicopter landed.
As the woman was rushed to hospital, it is now said that she is undergoing surgery and is in a critical condition.
A spokesperson for Beekse Bergen announced in an update yesterday evening: “The operation went well, but her situation remains critical.”
She was reportedly making a round of the department with a colleague but was on her own with the leopard when the attack took place.
The park has two Persian Leopards. (Getty Stock)
It is said the zookeeper has been working at the park for 25 years, eight of which have been in this department.
Head of Animal Care at Beekse Bergen, Martin van Hees told local media that she was ‘very experienced’ and ‘alert’ to any safety concerns.
He said the woman’s condition is ‘worrying’ and added: “We know there is a risk when working with dangerous animals, but you never want to experience something like this.”
Van Hees was at home when he heard of the attack and said it is not yet known which of the two Persian leopards attacked the woman.
“It is deeply tragic that this incident has taken place. We are now waiting to see how she is doing,” he said.
The Head of Animal Care also explained Beekse Berge are ‘not going to do anything with the panther’.
“It just sat in its enclosure and did what it did. The animal cannot help it,” he added.
An investigation was launched by the Dutch Labour Inspectorate yesterday and the animal park is also conducting an investigation into how the leopard was able to attack the zookeeper.
Local media reports that then animals had been in an indoor enclosure due to a storm the evening before and the woman had raised the alarm using her walkie-talkie.
Van Hees said: “We are investigating that; we do not know exactly what happened. Her immediate colleague heard the cry for help and rushed to her aid.”
Beekse Bergen confirmed that no visitors were involved in the incident.
Leave a Reply