In brief
A Dutch zoo has confirmed the death of a seasoned keeper after she was mauled by two Persian leopards during a maintenance shift. She was injured on Saturday and died at a specialist hospital after surgery. The park, located in Beekse Bergen, will investigate the incident and honor her memory. The leopards will remain in captivity.
Experienced Dutch zoo keeper died weeks after she was mauled by two Persian leopards in an indoor enclosure.
Based in Beekse Bergen, the zoo confirmed the fatal assault of a 17‑year‑old employee after she began caring for the animals on a routine shift during harsh winter weather.
She suffered severe head and neck injuries and was air‑lifted to a field‑hospital, then rushed to a specialist facility where she underwent surgery before her condition deteriorated and she died on Tuesday.
Beekse Bergen, a popular safari park in the south of the Netherlands, will launch an independent investigation into what prompted the attack, adding that no CCTV footage is available inside the enclosure.
In a statement, the park said the keeper had worked there for 40 years, with her first role beginning at age 17, and that the staff had been "deeply struck" by her loss. They also mentioned plans for a memorial space for visitors and workers.
The two leopards, generally kept away from staff, were brought indoors due to bad weather. Park officials emphasized that the animals remain predators and were not going to be euthanised.
Eyewitness reports indicated that the keeper used her walkie‑talkie to call for help even after being severely injured.
The incident has renewed conversations about animal enclosure safety and staff protection protocols in zoological facilities across Europe.
