A zookeeper at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo was killed on Friday morning, August 1, 2025, after an Anatolian leopard escaped its enclosure during a behind-the-scenes tour and attacked him. Uriel Nuri, age 26, died from severe injuries to his neck and upper body at Hadassah University Hospital-Ein Kerem.
The incident took place at approximately 10 a.m. while Nuri was engaged in preparing enrichment activities for the leopards during a routine visitor tour. Preliminary investigations by Israeli police and zoo staff suggest the leopard exited through a door that was mistakenly left open.
Nuri was the head of the carnivores team at the 62-acre zoo located in southwestern Jerusalem, Israel. He had been part of the zoo for eight years, starting during his national service year. The zoo focuses on animals from biblical texts and endangered species globally.
Emergency responders found Nuri unconscious and suffering from severe bleeding upon arrival at the leopard enclosure. Magen David Adom paramedic Dov Shari stated that rescue teams worked to control the bleeding from critical neck injuries. During the intervention, the leopard repeatedly rammed the enclosure gate.
Medical teams performed life-saving measures, such as CPR, before transferring Nuri to the hospital’s trauma unit in critical condition. Despite extensive resuscitation efforts, he was declared dead. The Hadassah Medical Center confirmed that staff were supporting his family.
The zoo affirmed that visitors on the behind-the-scenes tour were never in physical danger, as they remained behind a glass window during the incident. The zoo closed immediately after the event and announced it would remain closed through the weekend.
Zoo officials are conducting a thorough investigation with assistance from Israeli police to ascertain how the leopard escaped into the inner courtyard.
Nuri lived in Jerusalem, Israel, with his parents and three siblings in Nokdim. The family had suffered another loss a year earlier with the death of a daughter. The Gush Etzion Regional Council released a public statement expressing its condolences.
A colleague familiar with Nuri from animal welfare training in Italy described him as a dedicated professional with deep knowledge of animal behavior and training. Yoel Israeli noted Nuri’s expertise in animal training and enrichment activities, expressing surprise at the occurrence of such an incident at a leading zoo.
The leopard in question was identified as one of two rare three-year-old Persian leopards that arrived at the zoo earlier in 2025. These leopards can reach lengths of up to six feet and weigh nearly 200 pounds. With only about 1,500 remaining in the wild, they are considered critically endangered.
The leopard was not harmed during the efforts to retrieve Nuri from the enclosure. Zoo veterinarians and staff worked to secure the animal post-attack.
This incident is the second significant animal attack at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo in recent years. In August 2024, a crocodile attacked a worker in his 40s, causing severe injuries. A security guard shot the crocodile, likely saving the employee’s life.
The Biblical Zoo spans over 62 acres in southern Jerusalem, Israel, and houses more than 170 animal species. The facility includes big cats such as tigers, lions, and cheetahs, a man-made lake, waterfalls, and a wildlife savannah. A visitor train offers transportation throughout the grounds.
Israeli police from the Moriah Station in the Jerusalem District are leading the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the leopard’s escape. The zoo conveyed that the staff’s grief is profound and extended condolences to Nuri’s family.
