A 37-year-old woman is fighting for her life after a wolf attack at a safari park near Paris. The incident occurred at the Thoiry zoo, approximately 40km west of the French capital. The woman sustained severe bites on her neck, calf, and back.
According to Maryvonne Caillibotte, chief prosecutor in Versailles, the woman’s life remains in danger. She was attacked by three wolves after apparently venturing alone into the safari zone meant only for vehicles. The woman had been staying overnight in a safari-style lodge with her family at the zoo, which charges between €220 and €760 per night for these unique accommodations.
The lodges in the wolf zone promise “silence, rest, and disconnection,” offering a “one-of-a-kind, very intimate experience with the Arctic wolves you’ll be able to see from the living room.” Unfortunately, the woman ended up in the restricted safari zone, where the attack took place.
Emergency services responded quickly, moving the wolves back to their area. However, it remains unclear whether the woman made an error or if the trail was not clearly marked. The source familiar with the case mentioned that the woman must have bypassed security systems, including a trench and an electric fence designed to keep the animals contained.
Police are currently investigating the wolf attack incident.
Thoiry zoo was founded in 1968 by Paul de la Panouse, who initially stocked the zoo with 120 animals from Kenya. In 2018, de la Panouse sold the zoo to a group of investors. This tragic wolf attack has raised concerns about the safety measures in place at wildlife parks and the need for stringent security to prevent such incidents.
