In brief
An experienced keeper at Beekse Bergen, a Dutch safari park, died following an attack by two Persian leopards. She had worked for 40 years and was caring for the animals indoors due to bad weather. The incident happened on Saturday; she sustained fatal injuries. An investigation will be launched and the leopards are not being euthanised. The park will establish a memorial in her honour.
An experienced keeper at Beekse Bergen, a safari park in the Netherlands, died after being mauled by two Persian leopards during an indoor care session.
The woman had worked at the park for 40 years and was attending to the leopards on Saturday when she suffered severe injuries to her head and neck. Despite emergency surgery, she passed away on Tuesday.
No CCTV footage captured the incident, and an independent investigation will be launched. Local reports said she managed to alert colleagues with a walkie‑talkie before being air‑lifted to a hospital in critical condition.
The park confirmed that the two leopards were behaving naturally and will not be euthanised, emphasising that they remain predators.
Beekse Bergen stated that the keeper had begun her career at 17 and devoted four decades to the park, and that her death has deeply affected staff and the wider community. A memorial will be established for staff and visitors to share their condolences.
This tragedy raises questions about safety protocols in animal enclosures, especially when unexpected weather conditions force species indoors.
