WATCH: Netherlands zookeeper mauled in deadly leopard attack

A zookeeper who had worked for nearly 40 years at Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek, Netherlands, died on Tuesday from injuries sustained in a leopard attack over the weekend. The woman, believed to be in her 50s and unnamed due to Dutch privacy laws, suffered severe head and neck wounds after entering an enclosure housing two male Persian leopards. She was airlifted to hospital where she underwent surgery but remained in critical condition until her death. Martin van Hees, the park's animal care head, stated that while risks are inherent when working with dangerous animals, such incidents are never expected. An investigation is underway to determine how the incident occurred as zoo staff typically do not enter enclosures with predatory animals.