The victim, aged 37, was in a zone reserved for cars. She was bitten by wolves while she was jogging this Sunday at the Thoiry zoo (Yvelines). She was bitten on the neck, calf and back. His vital prognosis is no longer in jeopardy.
The events took place around 9 a.m. this Sunday morning, said a source close to the case. A 37-year-old Parisian woman was seriously injured this Sunday. She was bitten by wolves at the Thoiry zoo (Yvelines).
According to initial information, the victim, who had spent the night in hotel accommodation in the park, had gone jogging.
“Undoubtedly at this stage, she found herself in the safari area, which is in principle reserved for cars. This is where she was attacked by three wolves”detailed the public prosecutor of Versailles, Maryvonne Caillibotte.
This thirty-year-old, “who resided in the lounge (within the park, editor’s note), crossed the American reserve on foot”a stockpile “which is only accessible by car”reported the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Wow Safari Thoiry, Christelle Bercheny.
The victim was injured “neck, calf and back”, indicated Ms. Caillibotte, specifying that the young woman was transported to hospital in absolute emergency. His vital prognosis was no longer in jeopardy in the afternoon.
Caregivers are “intervened very quickly” And “the animals were put aside, then reintegrated”declared Ms. Caillibotte.
The three wolves which had attacked the victim were temporarily isolated to allow the woman to be rescued before returning to their place in the reserve, which was “completely closed” during the intervention, she continued.
“The behavior of animals in reserves is the behavior of animals in freedom or semi-freedom”further clarified the director of the zoo group to explain the animals’ reaction to human intrusion.
“I am not able to say if it was she who made a mistake or if the marking was not well done”added the magistrate.
In this area, “vehicles can enter and exit and there are electrified plates which limit animal exit access”but these plates “do not intervene on human beings”, explained the director, Ms. Berchery. She added that signs located outside this area reminded “the rules of survival” to follow in the park.
“We are currently analyzing all the circumstances which could have led to this accident”she concluded, specifying that an internal investigation was open and that she was at this stage not in possession “of no element” concerning a possible technical or human failure.
A source close to the case initially indicated that the victim had “penetrated into an enclosure”in “crossing two security systems, a ditch and an electrical device, intended to prevent animals from getting out”.
The Mantes-la-Jolie Research Brigade was tasked with the investigation.
The Thoiry zoo was created in 1968 by the Count of La Panouse, who sold the zoological activity to a group of investors in 2018.
