Swedish zoo worker killed in wolf attack

STOCKHOLM – Media reports said a zookeeper has died after being attacked by wolves in their enclosure in Sweden’s largest zoo.

Visitors leave the Kolmarden Wildlife Park where a female animal caretaker was killed when attacked by a pack of wolves outside Norrkoping, 90 miles (140 kilometres) south of Stockholm Sweden, Sunday June 17, 2012. The 30-year old woman was working alone in the wolf park when for unknown reasons she was attacked by the wolves. AP Photo / Henrik Witt / SCANPIX

The TT news agency quoted Kolmarden Wildlife Park animal director Mats Hoggren as saying the experienced 30-year-old woman was by herself in the pen when the attack occurred Sunday morning, and that zoo workers often enter the area alone.

The enclosure reportedly contains eight wolves. Park workers first realized that something had gone wrong when their colleague failed to maintain radio contact.

The Aftonbladet daily quoted Hoggren as saying zoo workers and paramedics entered the pen after forming a human chain and arming one person, but it was too late.

Hoggren said there were no witnesses to the attack at the park, which is 90 miles (140 kilometers) south of Stockholm.