Story By: Georgina Jadikovska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
One of two famous leopards that made an appearance in a Panasonic commercial has severely injured a woman model by biting her in the face during a photo shoot in an animal shelter in Germany.
A 36-year-old woman was reportedly savagely attacked by one of the two leopards identified as Troja, 16, and Paris, 18. It is unclear which of the leopards carried out the attack in which the model needed to be airlifted to hospital on 24th August.
The two leopards had once graced TV screens in an advert for multinational electronics giant Panasonic.
The attacked woman whose name was not disclosed by German media is reportedly from the German state of Thuringia.
She was collected at the Seniorenresidenz fur Showtiere (Senior residence for show animals) located in the town of Nebra by helicopter, which took her to the nearest hospital.
Reportedly, the 850 square meter (9,150 sq ft) private facility in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt where the incident happened, hosts about 135 retired animals including leopards Troja and Paris, that had once made appearances on the big screen.
These animals were mostly booked for photoshoots by interested individuals and companies, which is how the victim found herself there when the animal bit her in the face after she got too close.
Initial findings revealed that the attack happened due to unexplained reasons and it was not reported which of the two leopards was the one that injured the woman before rescue workers managed to return it back into its cage.
After media reported incorrect information that the predator had escaped and was on the loose, Burgenland District spokesperson Steven Muller-Uhrig ensured: “The animal never broke out. There is currently no danger to the population.”
The police restrained from providing further information on the woman’s health condition in reference to patient and data protection, however, they stated they are investigating who else was present at the photo shoot and what safety precautions were taken.
A Halle Police spokesperson stated that officers are currently investigating leopard trainer and shelter owner Birgit Stache, 48, along with other people responsible for the animals on the farm, who could face charges for negligent bodily harm.
The investigation continues.
