A woman survived serious injuries after leaping into a Berlin Zoo polar bear enclosure, prompting staff’s swift rescue.
During a visit to Berlin Zoo in 2009, a woman stunned onlookers by leaping into the polar bear enclosure during feeding time. As she swam toward the bears, horrified spectators watched one polar bear quickly approach and attack her, inflicting serious injuries.
Zoo staff sprang into action, throwing life rings and distracting the bears with meat to facilitate a safe rescue. After a tense struggle, they managed to pull the woman to safety, though she was left with significant wounds.
The woman, identified as Mandy K., had been struggling with personal issues, which some believe may have influenced her actions. The incident highlighted the risks involved when enclosures are breached.
Despite the incident, the zoo stated that it would not raise the enclosure’s barriers. Officials noted that no matter how high the fences, determined individuals could still manage to bypass them.
