Leopard attack at Odessa zoo highlights safety lapses
A dramatic incident occurred at the Odessa Zoo when a leopard attacked an employee, resulting in the man being taken to hospital with serious injuries.
The incident happened as the employee was preparing to clean the cage, unaware that the predator was nearby. As a result of the attack, he sustained serious injuries to his head, neck, and spine and was transported to hospital.
Police officers arrived at the scene to find two people in the enclosure. One employee was attempting to assist the injured colleague. The leopard, which had escaped the enclosure, posed a danger to people. Attempts to sedate the animal failed, prompting the police to resort to using firearms.
The Zoo Director, Ihor Biljakov, explained that the attack was due to a violation of safety rules by the employee. He stressed that the young leopard, named Casanova, was not at fault for the incident. The injured employee remains in hospital with multiple injuries.
