In brief
At Beekse Bergen, a 40‑year‑old keeper was attacked by Persian leopards while tending to them indoors during bad weather. The woman suffered fatal head and neck injuries, dying after surgery. The incident occurred without CCTV coverage inside the enclosure, and the park has confirmed that the two leopards will remain and not be euthanised. An independent investigation will examine protocol failures. A memorial will be created for staff and visitors.
An experienced keeper at a Dutch zoo has died days after being mauled in a leopard enclosure, the safari park has confirmed.
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.
She sustained injuries to her head and neck but, after surgery, the park confirmed her death on Tuesday.
An independent investigation will be launched into the incident, the park added in a statement.
The keeper began her career there at age 17 and had worked on‑and‐off for four decades.
"Her passing has deeply affected us all," the statement read. "Our hearts go out to her family, friends, and loved ones. At this moment, we are focusing on supporting her family and colleagues," it added.
The two leopards, normally kept away from staff, were brought inside because of bad weather conditions.
It is not clear exactly what happened in the enclosure because there are no CCTV cameras inside.
Local news website NL Times reported that, despite her injuries, she managed to alert colleagues via her walkie‑talkie. She was then flown to hospital in a helicopter in critical condition before she died days later.
A park spokesperson told Omroep Brabant that the leopards were behaving naturally and would not be euthanised.
"They are, and remain, predators," he added.
Beekse Bergen said it would create a memorial location for guests and staff members to share their condolences.
