A zookeeper at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo died on the morning of August 1, 2025, after being attacked by an Anatolian leopard that escaped from its enclosure during a behind-the-scenes tour. Uriel Nuri, 26, died from severe injuries to his neck and upper body at Hadassah University Hospital-Ein Kerem.
The incident occurred at around 10 a.m. while Nuri was setting up enrichment activities for the leopards. Initial investigations by Israeli police and zoo staff indicate that the leopard left its enclosure due to an unsecured door.
Nuri, who led the carnivores team at the 62-acre zoo in southwest Jerusalem, had been employed there for eight years, starting during his national service year. The zoo focuses on animals mentioned in biblical texts and endangered species globally.
When emergency responders arrived at the leopard enclosure, they found Nuri unconscious and heavily bleeding. Magen David Adom paramedic Dov Shari reported that rescue teams attempted to control the bleeding from critical neck injuries. During the rescue, the leopard repeatedly hit the enclosure gate.
Medical staff performed life-saving procedures, including CPR, before transferring Nuri to the hospital’s trauma unit in critical condition. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, he was pronounced dead. The Hadassah Medical Center stated that staff supported his family during this difficult period.
The zoo assured in a statement that visitors on the tour were not in physical danger, as they were behind a protective glass window during the incident. The facility closed to visitors immediately and announced it would remain closed through the weekend for investigation.
Zoo officials are conducting a thorough investigation with Israeli police to determine how the leopard escaped into the inner courtyard.
Nuri resided in Jerusalem with his parents and three siblings in the settlement of Nokdim. The family had previously lost another daughter just a year before. The Gush Etzion Regional Council released a statement mourning his death.
A colleague familiar with Nuri from animal welfare seminars in Italy described him as a consummate professional with a deep understanding of animal behavior and training. Yoel Israeli expressed shock that such an incident occurred at what he considered the country’s leading zoo facility.
The leopard involved in the attack was one of two rare three-year-old Persian leopards that arrived at the zoo earlier in 2025. These animals can reach up to six feet in length and weigh nearly 200 pounds. Approximately 1,500 Persian leopards remain in the wild, classifying them as critically endangered.
The leopard was unharmed during the efforts to recover Nuri. Zoo veterinarians and staff isolated the animal following the attack.
This incident marks the second serious animal attack at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo in recent years. In August 2024, a crocodile attacked a worker in his 40s, inflicting serious injuries to his body and face. A security guard shot the crocodile during that incident, potentially saving the worker’s life.
The Biblical Zoo covers over 62 acres in southern Jerusalem and exhibits more than 170 different animal species. The facility includes large cats such as tigers, lions, and cheetahs, as well as a man-made lake, waterfalls, and a wildlife savannah where animals roam freely. A visitor train facilitates transportation across the expansive grounds.
Israeli police from the Moriah Station in the Jerusalem District are leading the investigation into the circumstances of the leopard’s escape. The zoo expressed that the staff’s suffering is immense and extended condolences to Nuri’s family.
