The victim, identified as 36-year-old Uriel Nuri, suffered critical injuries to his upper body after the tiger reportedly escaped its enclosure. Emergency services rushed him to the trauma unit at Hadassah University Hospital–Ein Kerem, but despite intensive medical efforts, he was later pronounced dead.
"After prolonged resuscitation efforts, the team was forced to declare him d3ad," Hadassah Medical Center said. "The hospital staff is accompanying his family at this difficult time and shares in their grief."
The zoo confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the attack occurred while staff were preparing for a routine enrichment activity for the tigers, with visitors observing from behind protective glass.
“The tragic event occurred this morning, when during a routine activity to prepare the tigers for enrichment, which took place as part of a behind-the-scenes tour for visitors to the zoo, a tiger managed to escape from the tiger enclosure into the inner courtyard and attack one of the zoo employees who was preparing the activity,” the zoo said.
"At no point was there any physical danger to the visitors, who stood protected behind a glass window."
The zoo, which is now closed to the public, is working with Israeli police to investigate the circumstances of the escape. Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported that the investigation is focusing on whether a door to the enclosure may have come loose.
Nuri, head of the carnivores team, regularly shared videos of his work on social media. The zoo expressed its deep sorrow, stating, “Our pain is immense and our hearts go out to Uriel's family.”
Located in south-west Jerusalem, the 62-acre zoo is home to dozens of animal species, with a focus on animals mentioned in the Bible and critically endangered wildlife, including the Sumatran tiger. Last year, a crocodile at the zoo bit a worker, resulting in serious injuries.
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