Dutch Zookeeper Dies After Leopard Attack at Beekse Bergen Safari Park

A veteran keeper at a safari park in the Netherlands has died after being attacked by a leopard, the park has confirmed. The woman had worked at Beekse Bergen for 40 years.

She was looking after two Persian leopards in an indoor facility on Saturday when the attack happened. She suffered injuries to her head and neck. Despite surgery, the park announced her death on Tuesday.

Beekse Bergen, which is in the south of the Netherlands, said an independent investigation into the incident will be launched.

In its statement, the park said the keeper began her career there at the age of 17 and had worked at the site 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," it said. "At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting her family and her colleagues."

The two leopards are normally kept apart from staff. They had been moved indoors because of bad weather. What exactly took place inside the enclosure remains unclear, since there are no CCTV cameras in the facility.

The local news website NL Times reported that, despite her injuries, the keeper was able to raise the alarm with colleagues using her walkie-talkie. She was then flown to hospital by helicopter in a critical condition. She died several days later.

A park spokesperson told the local broadcaster Omroep Brabant that the leopards had been behaving naturally and would not be euthanised. "They are, and remain, predators," the spokesperson said.

Beekse Bergen also said it would set up a memorial spot where visitors and staff can leave their condolences.