A worker at a zoo is in a critical state after being viciously attacked by a leopard.

The 25-year-old staff member endured severe neck injuries during the encounter with the big cat at the Jerusalem Biblical Zoo in Israel.

Magen David Adom reported that paramedics discovered the man bleeding and unresponsive.

He was quickly taken to Hadassah Hospital in Ein Kerem for emergency medical care.

Local authorities mentioned that police were sent to the site to look into the incident.

The zoo in Jerusalem is home to two rare Persian leopards, which were only brought in this January.

They were supposed to arrive in July 2024, but were stranded for months in the Czech Republic when wildlife transfers were suspended due to the war.

There are only around 1,500 Persian Leopards left in the world.

Both cats at Jerusalem Biblical Zoo are around three years old.

Persians are one of the largest subspecies of leopard, growing to around 6ft and 90kg.

Another worker at the zoo was seriously injured in a crocodile attack last August.

A security guard was forced to shoot the croc, and the worker thankfully survived.