Dutch zookeeper dies after leopard attack at Beekse Bergen; investigation under way

Left · 2A zookeeper was attacked by a leopard at Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek, the Netherlands, at around 11am on Saturday 24 October. 1 2 Left · 2The woman, in her 50s and unnamed, suffered severe injuries to her head and neck. She was airlifted to hospital and had surgery. 1 2 Left · 2She alerted colleagues over a walkie-talkie, and a nearby colleague rushed to the scene. 1 2

Left · 1Metro, citing The Sun, reported that the animals were being kept in the indoor enclosure because of a storm on Friday night. 1 Left · 1On Sunday, Head of Animal Care Martin van Hees said her condition was worrying and that the zoo did not know exactly what happened. He said the leopard would not be put down. 1 Left · 1The zoo stayed open on Sunday, and a staff meeting was scheduled that day. 1

Left · 1The woman's condition worsened on Sunday evening, and the zoo said it did not expect her to survive. She died on Tuesday 27 October. 2 Left · 1She had worked at the park for nearly her whole 40-year career, starting at 17. Her name was withheld under Dutch privacy law. In a statement made with her family, the zoo said her death "deeply affects us all". 2 Left · 2An investigation is under way into why she was in the enclosure with the leopards. The Independent says staff are typically not permitted in the same space as predatory animals. Metro said it was unclear why the leopard attacked, and that zoo employees described her as always very alert about safety. 2 1

Left · 1The Independent linked the death to a separate case a little over two weeks earlier. William Chapman was mauled to death by a tiger at a Yorkshire wildlife park after entering an enclosure, and an inquest heard he had a history of mental illness. 2