A 37-year-old woman is in critical condition after being attacked by three wolves at Thoiry Zoo, located approximately 40 kilometers west of Paris, local prosecutors and a source familiar with the case reported.
The woman sustained severe bites on her neck, calf, and back, according to the source. Chief Prosecutor Maryvonne Caillibotte confirmed that the victim’s life is in danger following the incident on Sunday.
The victim had been staying with her family in one of the zoo’s safari-style lodges, which are advertised as offering a unique and intimate experience with arctic wolves, with prices ranging from 220 to 760 euros per night. These lodges are promoted for their tranquility and promise of disconnection.
According to Caillibotte, the woman was attacked while jogging in an area restricted to vehicles within the safari zone.
It remains unclear whether the incident was due to a navigational error or insufficient signage.
Emergency responders arrived swiftly, and the wolves were contained and returned to their enclosure.
The source indicated that the woman had somehow bypassed multiple security measures, including a trench and an electric fence designed to confine the animals.
The Thoiry Zoo, established in 1968 by Paul de la Panouse, who initially stocked it with animals imported from Kenya, was sold to a group of investors in 2018.
Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the attack.
