A Dutch zookeeper has died after being mauled by a Persian leopard at Beekse Bergen safari park on October 24.
The woman, who had worked at the park for four decades, suffered head and neck injuries and underwent emergency surgery before dying on October 27. An independent investigation into the incident will be launched.
A park spokesperson told regional public broadcaster Omroep Brabant that the animals would not be euthanized, saying: “They are, and remain, predators.”
In the lead-up to the attack, two leopards had been brought into an indoor enclosure because of bad weather. It remains unclear exactly what happened, as there are no CCTV cameras inside.
Indeed, despite safety measures, keeping wild animals in captivity can sometimes lead to unpredictable and dangerous encounters. While zoos and wildlife parks work to protect both animals and visitors, distress, frustration, or instinctive behavior can result in serious or fatal attacks.
Intrigued? Browse through this gallery to revisit some of the most violent attacks in recent history.