Dutch zookeeper dies after being mauled in leopard enclosure

Notably, an experienced keeper at a Dutch zoo has died days after being mauled in a leopard enclosure, the safari park has confirmed.

Key points

• A park spokesperson informed Omroep Brabant, a local media outlet, that the leopards were behaving naturally and they would not be euthanised.
• She sustained injuries to her head and neck but despite undergoing surgery, the park confirmed her death on Tuesday.
• Local news website NL Times documented that despite her injures she managed to alert colleagues via her walkie-talkie.
• Beekse Bergen remarked it would create a memorial location for guests and staff members to share their condolences.
• An independent investigation will be introduced into the incident, it went on in an official note.

For context, the woman, who had worked at Beekse Bergen park for 40 years, was caring for two Persian leopards in an indoor facility when she was attacked on Saturday.

For context, an independent investigation will be introduced into the incident, it went on in an official note.

Announcing her death, Beekse Bergen – in the south of the Netherlands – remarked the keeper began her career there when she was 17 and had worked there 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. At this moment, our primary focus is on supporting her family and her colleagues, " the statement continued.

Notably, the two leopards, which are usually kept away from staff, had been brought inside due to bad weather conditions.

It is not clear exactly what happened in the enclosure since there are no CCTV cameras inside.

Local news website NL Times documented that despite her injures she managed to alert colleagues via her walkie-talkie. She was then taken to hospital in a helicopter in a critical condition before she died days afterwards.

For context, a park spokesperson informed Omroep Brabant, a local media outlet, that the leopards were behaving naturally and they would not be euthanised. "They are, and remain, predators."

For now, dutch zookeeper dies after being mauled in leopard enclosure remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.