Dutch safari park will not put down the leopard that left its keeper of 25 years fighting for her life

Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek has no cameras inside the enclosure, so exactly what happened remains unclear. Spokeswoman Linda Engels confirmed the woman, in her 50s, was working alone, which was within protocol. Martin van Hees, head of animal care, insisted: 'The animal cannot help it.' The park opened as usual today while staff held an emergency meeting.

Co-workers heard her cries for help through a walkie-talkie and rushed to the scene.

Park director Rens Willemsen called it 'a deeply, deeply sad day' for staff.

The incident follows by a fortnight the death of William Chapman, 24, in a tiger attack near Doncaster.