Beekse Bergen caretaker in critical condition after panther attack, remains sedated

A caretaker at Safaripark Beekse Bergen was seriously injured Saturday when she was attacked by a panther while working in the enclosure of two male Persian panthers. Her condition remains critical, and she is being kept sedated, a park spokesperson said.

The woman was still responsive when taken to the hospital, where she underwent surgery. She has worked for the Brabant Zoo for 25 years.

Nothing will happen to the panthers, who are being cared for as usual, the park said. In attacking the worker, the animal had essentially displayed natural behavior, the spokesperson said. “They are and remain predators.”

Procedures at the park are designed so caretakers are never in an enclosure with predators. Exactly what happened is not yet clear, because the enclosure has no camera. The Labor Inspectorate is now investigating.