Dutch zoo keeper dies days after leopard attack

An experienced keeper at Beekse Bergen safari park in the Netherlands has died after being mauled by two Persian leopards while caring for them inside an enclosure, the park says.

The woman, who had worked at the park for four decades, was attacked on Saturday and suffered head and neck injuries. She underwent surgery but died on Tuesday, the park said.

The leopards had been brought indoors because of bad weather and were usually kept away from staff. The park said it was unclear exactly what happened: there are no CCTV cameras inside the enclosure.

Beekse Bergen said it would launch an independent investigation. A spokesperson told local broadcaster Omroep Brabant that the leopards were behaving naturally and would not be euthanised. “They are, and remain, predators,” the spokesperson said.

The park said the keeper began her career there at the age of 17 and had worked there on and off for 40 years. It plans to create a memorial space for staff and visitors to leave condolences.