EXPERIENCED ZOOKEEPER DIES AFTER LEOPARD ATTACK AT DUTCH SAFARI PARK

The longtime animal caretaker suffered critical head and neck injuries while working inside an enclosure at Beekse Bergen Safari Park. An investigation is now underway to establish how the fatal incident happened.

An experienced zookeeper has died three days after being attacked by a leopard at a safari park in the Netherlands, leaving colleagues and loved ones devastated.

The woman, who was in her 50s, suffered severe injuries to her head and neck during the incident at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek on Saturday, October 24, 2026.

The park confirmed her death on Tuesday, October 27, saying she had died from injuries sustained in the attack. Her identity has not been publicly released, in accordance with Dutch privacy practices.

The tragedy has prompted an investigation into how the incident occurred, particularly because safety procedures are designed to prevent animal keepers from sharing an enclosure with dangerous predators.

A DISTRESSING CALL FOR HELP

The zookeeper was working in an indoor enclosure containing two male Persian leopards when the attack occurred at around 11 a.m. local time.

According to reports, colleagues heard her call for help over a walkie-talkie and rushed to the enclosure. They found her seriously injured and immediately sought emergency assistance.

An ambulance and a trauma helicopter were dispatched to the scene, and the woman was taken to hospital for urgent treatment.

She underwent emergency surgery. Although the procedure was initially reported to have gone well, her condition remained critical.

The park later said her condition had deteriorated and that doctors had little hope of her recovery. She died on Tuesday, three days after the attack.

A CAREER SPENT CARING FOR ANIMALS

The woman had worked at Beekse Bergen since she was 17, spending nearly 40 years at the safari park, with some interruptions.

She had reportedly spent the past eight years working with the park’s predators and was described by its management as a highly experienced animal caretaker.

In a statement released in consultation with her family, the park expressed profound sadness over her death and offered condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.

The park said its immediate priority was supporting those affected by the loss.

A dedicated area was also planned where visitors could leave messages of condolence, while colleagues would have an opportunity to pay their respects.

INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED INTO THE ATTACK

Investigators are now working to establish why the zookeeper was inside the enclosure with the leopards and what led to the fatal encounter.

According to the park, its safety procedures are designed to prevent animal keepers from being inside an enclosure at the same time as dangerous predators.

Reports have indicated that the leopards were being kept indoors because of severe weather. However, it remains unclear whether the woman knew the animals were present when she entered the area.

There were no cameras inside the enclosure, making it more difficult for investigators to reconstruct exactly what happened. It has also not been established publicly whether one or both leopards attacked her.

The park and relevant authorities are investigating the circumstances, including the safety procedures in place at the time. No final conclusions have been announced.

THE PARK SAYS THE LEOPARDS WILL NOT BE PUT DOWN

Following the incident, the safari park confirmed that the leopard believed to have been involved would not be euthanised.

Martin van Hees, the park’s head of animal care, explained that the animal had acted according to its natural instincts.

A park spokesperson similarly noted that leopards remain predators, emphasising that the animal’s behaviour must be understood in that context.

The decision comes as investigators continue examining how the incident occurred and whether established safety procedures were followed.

The park has not announced any final findings from its investigation.

A COMMUNITY IN MOURNING

The zookeeper’s death has left a profound impact on the people who worked alongside her for decades.

For her family, the loss is deeply personal. For her colleagues, it is the loss of an experienced professional who devoted much of her adult life to caring for animals.

As the investigation continues, the park has asked for privacy and understanding while its staff and the woman’s loved ones come to terms with what happened.

Her death is a heartbreaking reminder of the risks involved in working closely with powerful wild animals, even for experienced professionals. The investigation now faces the difficult task of establishing exactly how this tragedy unfolded.