Zoo worker tragically loses life following attack by escaped leopard, according to news outlets.
Tragedy at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo: Two Employees Suffer Severe Attacks
The Jerusalem Biblical Zoo has been shaken by two significant incidents involving employee safety in a short period. The most recent event, in August 2025, resulted in the fatal mauling of a senior zookeeper, Uriel Nuri, by a leopard.
Uriel Nuri, aged 36, was attacked while preparing the leopard's food. The incident occurred when a door was mistakenly left open, allowing the animal to breach its enclosure. Despite life-saving efforts both on-site and at the hospital, Nuri succumbed to severe injuries to his neck and upper body.
The zoo community was shocked by the incident, given the Biblical Zoo's reputation for strict safety protocols. The exact circumstances that led to the door being left open remain unclear, but human error was not attributed to the victim. Rescue teams noted aggressive behavior from the leopard during treatment, emphasizing the dangers staff face in such rare but deadly incidents.
No visitors were harmed during the incident, as they were protected behind a glass window. However, another employee was seriously injured in a separate incident at the zoo in 2024. The details of this event were not disclosed, but a security guard reportedly fatally shot a crocodile, potentially saving the employee's life.
The Israel Police is conducting a comprehensive investigation into how the crocodile escaped its enclosure, and the leopard that attacked Uriel Nuri has also been reported missing. The leopard and the crocodile involved in the two incidents are not the same animals.
The Jerusalem Post continues to provide updates on the investigations and the status of both employees involved in the incidents. As of now, the condition and identity of the 45-year-old employee who was injured in the crocodile enclosure remain unknown.
This tragic event at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo underscores the inherent risks associated with working with wild animals. The zoo has yet to comment on the measures they are taking to ensure the safety of their staff in the wake of these incidents.
[1] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, August). Tragic incident at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo: Senior zookeeper dies after leopard attack. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-732897 [2] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, August). Another employee seriously injured at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-732898 [3] The Jerusalem Post. (2025, August). Israel Police investigates crocodile escape at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo. Retrieved from https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-732899
[1] The wake of these incidents at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo has sparked discussion on the importance of workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness in the science field, particularly for those who work with wild animals.
[2] As general-news outlets continue to cover the investigations into the tragedies at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo, other workplaces may want to consider implementing therapies-and-treatments to help employees cope with trauma.
[3] Moreover, the series of accidents and fires in the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo serve as reminders of the risks associated with working in a zoo, making it imperative for similar institutions to reevaluate and improve their safety protocols to avert future mishaps.
