Veteran Zookeeper Dies After Horrifying Leopard Attack at Safari Park

A veteran zookeeper who dedicated nearly 40 years of her life to caring for animals has died after being attacked by a leopard inside a safari park, leaving colleagues devastated and investigators searching for answers.

The tragic incident unfolded Saturday, October 24, at Beekse Bergen Safari Park in the Netherlands, where the experienced caretaker was working alone inside an enclosure housing two male Persian leopards.

According to Dutch authorities, the woman suffered serious injuries to her head and neck during the unexpected encounter. Despite her condition, she managed to use her walkie-talkie to alert colleagues, triggering an urgent rescue operation.

Emergency crews rushed to the park around 11 a.m., with an ambulance and trauma helicopter dispatched to the scene. The woman underwent emergency surgery, but her condition deteriorated Sunday evening.

On Tuesday, October 27, the safari park confirmed that she had died from her injuries.

“Her passing deeply affects us all, and we are intensely grieving with her family, friends and loved ones,” the park said in a statement, requesting privacy for the grieving family and staff.

The tragedy has sent shockwaves through the Dutch zoo community, particularly because the victim was an exceptionally experienced animal caretaker.

She began working at Beekse Bergen when she was just 17 years old and, apart from a few brief interruptions, had spent nearly four decades at the facility. For the past eight years, she had worked with the park’s leopards.

But one crucial question remains unanswered: How did such an experienced caretaker end up in the same enclosure as the dangerous predators?

According to Dutch broadcaster NOS, the two leopards had been kept inside because of bad weather. Under normal safety procedures, staff members are not supposed to share an enclosure with the animals.

Complicating the investigation, there are no surveillance cameras inside the enclosure, leaving authorities without footage of the moments leading up to the attack.

Both the Dutch Labor Inspectorate and an independent investigative team hired by the safari park are examining what went wrong.

The incident has also revived memories of another tragedy at the same facility. In 2003, a 36-year-old employee died following an elephant attack at Beekse Bergen, according to NOS.

Despite the latest tragedy, the park will remain open following discussions with the victim’s family. A memorial area and condolence book are being arranged so visitors and colleagues can pay their respects.

Meanwhile, the leopards will remain at the safari park and continue receiving their usual care. Officials emphasized that the animals were displaying natural predatory behavior and said no action would be taken against them unless investigators uncovered additional concerns.

The Dutch Zoo Association described the fatal attack as extremely rare, noting that modern animal parks operate under strict safety regulations designed to protect both employees and wildlife.

For the staff at Beekse Bergen, however, the loss is deeply personal. A woman who devoted most of her life to caring for animals is gone, and the circumstances of her final moments remain the subject of an ongoing investigation.