Zoo keeper survives leopard attack

SOUTH BEND, Ind., May 26 (UPI) -- A Potawatomi Zoo worker spent a night in a South Bend, Ind., hospital with injuries inflicted by a leopard during the daily cage cleaning, zoo officials said.

Jerry Ellis was in the middle of her cleaning routine Saturday in the Amur leopard holding area when one of the female cats attacked her, Zoo Director Terry DeRosa told WSBT-TV, South Bend.

Ellis was released from the hospital Sunday, the TV news said. Her specific injuries were not detailed.

Zoo officials said Ellis had worked with the animal before without incident.

The leopard exhibit is staying open, but the big cat that attacked Ellis is being kept in a holding area out of the public view, WSBT said.