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A worker at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo in Israel has died after being attacked by a tiger that escaped its enclosure during a behind-the-scenes tour on Friday morning, August 1.
The victim, Uriel Nuri, 36, sustained severe injuries to his upper body and was rushed to the trauma unit at Hadassah University Hospital-Ein Kerem. Despite extensive medical efforts, he was pronounced dead.
“After prolonged resuscitation efforts, the team was forced to declare him dead,” Hadassah Medical Center said in a statement. “The hospital staff is accompanying his family at this difficult time and shares in their grief.”
The zoo confirmed the incident, stating that the attack occurred during preparations for a routine enrichment activity for the tigers. Visitors were observing the process from behind protective glass.
“The tragic event occurred this morning, during a routine activity to prepare the tigers for enrichment, which took place as part of a behind-the-scenes tour. A tiger managed to escape from its enclosure into an inner courtyard and attacked a staff member preparing the activity,” the zoo said.
“At no point was there any physical danger to the visitors, who remained protected behind a glass window.”
The zoo, now closed to the public, is cooperating with Israeli police to investigate the circumstances of the tiger’s escape. According to Israeli newspaper Haaretz, the investigation is focusing on whether a door to the enclosure may have come loose.
Nuri, who headed the zoo’s carnivores team, frequently shared videos of his work on social media. The zoo expressed deep sorrow over his death, stating, “Our pain is immense and our hearts go out to Uriel’s family.”
Located in southwest Jerusalem, the 62-acre zoo is home to a wide variety of species, particularly those mentioned in the Bible, as well as critically endangered animals, including the Sumatran tiger. Last year, a zoo employee suffered serious injuries after being bitten by a crocodile.
