Veteran zookeeper is in a critical condition after being mauled by a panther at a Dutch safari park

The woman, in her 50s and a 25-year veteran of Safaripark Beekse Bergen in Hilvarenbeek, was alone in an indoor enclosure when she radioed for help by walkie-talkie. A colleague found her with severe head wounds around 11am on Saturday. She was flown out by trauma helicopter and is undergoing surgery. Head of animal care Martin van Hees called her condition 'worrying'.

Storm Austen had forced two Persian leopards inside, where they were being housed indoors at the time.

The enclosure has no camera coverage, leaving the precise sequence of events unclear.

Park director Rens Willemsen: 'It is a deeply, deeply sad day.'