In a shocking turn ofevents, a peaceful morning jog turned into a harrowing encounter with wildlifeat the Thoiry zoological park in Yvelines, France. On Sunday, June 23, 2024, a37-year-old woman found herself face to face with a pack of wolves afterinadvertently entering a restricted area of the safari zoo.
The incident occurredaround 9:30 a.m. in a seven-hectare safari zone where animals, including wolvesand bears, are allowed to roam freely. This area is typically only accessibleto visitors in vehicles, providing a safe way to observe the animals in a morenatural habitat. However, the woman, who had stayed overnight at the park,ventured into this area on foot during her morning run.
According to reportsfrom French affiliate TF1, the wolves "pounced" on the jogger,inflicting serious injuries. The woman suffered bites to her neck, calf, andback, highlighting the ferocity of the attack. The severity of the situationwas immediately apparent, prompting a rapid response from the zoo's medicalteam.
Christelle Bercheny,the CEO of Thoiry zoological park, addressed the incident in a pressconference, emphasizing the swift action taken by the medical staff."Luckily the medical staff intervened very quickly and we were able tosave this person," Bercheny stated. This quick response was crucial inpreventing what could have been a fatal encounter.
Following the attack,the woman was rushed to the nearest hospital for treatment. While her injurieswere described as serious, reports indicate that her condition has sincestabilized. This outcome is a testament to both the rapid response of the zoo'sstaff and the medical care provided at the hospital.
The incident has raisedquestions about safety protocols and visitor awareness at the zoo. While thesafari zone is clearly designated for vehicle access only, this eventunderscores the potential risks when these boundaries are crossed, evenunintentionally. In response, the Thoiry zoological park has launched aninvestigation into the incident, likely to review and potentially enhance theirsafety measures and visitor guidelines.
This unfortunate eventserves as a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of wild animals, even incontrolled environments like zoos. It highlights the importance of adhering tosafety guidelines and respecting the boundaries set in place at wildlifefacilities. As the investigation unfolds, it may lead to changes in how suchsafari zones are managed and how visitors are informed about potential risks,aiming to prevent similar incidents in the future.
