In Jerusalem, a tragic incident occurred: a leopard escaped from its enclosure and attacked a zoo employee.
The Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem is a unique zoo located in the south-western Malha neighbourhood. The zoo covers an area of about 25 hectares and specialises in presenting biblical animals, meaning species mentioned in the Bible, although it now also keeps many other endangered species. The animals live here in natural conditions, in large, open enclosures, and each biblical species is additionally described with references to passages from the Bible.
How did the tragedy happen?
Everything unfolded on Friday morning, during a special „behind the scenes” tour organised for nature enthusiasts. A zoo employee, a 36-year-old head of the team caring for predators, was guiding a group of visitors, showing what the daily work with wild animals looks like.
Senior animal keeper Uriel Nuri died after a leopard escaped from its enclosure and attacked him during a behind-the-scenes tour at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem. The authorities are investigating the circumstances of the incident.
At one point the leopard got out of its enclosure into an inner courtyard, where the employee was. Suddenly it attacked the man, seriously injuring him. Despite immediate intervention and resuscitation, the 36-year-old could not be saved. He was taken to hospital, where he died of his injuries.
The incident in Jerusalem has raised the issue of safety at zoos. The zoo authorities immediately cooperated with the relevant services, which launched an investigation into possible failures and the causes of the predator leaving its secured area.
The tragedy at the Jerusalem zoo is a reminder that contact with wild nature requires respect and the highest safety standards. There is hope that the lessons learned will help prevent similar cases in the future.
