Zookeeper Dies After Leopard Attack at Dutch Safari Park

A zookeeper at the Beekse Bergen safari park in the Netherlands died after being attacked by a leopard on Tuesday. The female keeper, who had worked at the park for nearly 40 years, was inside an indoor enclosure with two Persian leopards when the incident occurred.

The park stated that the keeper began her employment at Beekse Bergen at the age of 17 and had dedicated almost her entire career to the facility. "Her passing also deeply affects us all, and we are intensely grieving with her family, friends, and loved ones," the park said in a statement. "We ask for peace and privacy for her loved ones and our staff, so that they can process this profound loss."

According to Dutch News, the keeper sustained serious injuries to her head and neck and was able to call for help via walkie-talkie. The exact circumstances that led to the keeper being in direct contact with the leopards are unclear, as the indoor facility is not equipped with surveillance cameras. A park spokesperson confirmed that the leopards were behaving normally during the incident. An investigation into the event is ongoing.