Leopard mauls worker to death at German zoo

BERLIN, Nov 12 (Reuters) A leopard at a German zoo has mauled a female worker to death, police said.

The 23-year-old was found dead by the director of the zoo in the eastern city of Chemnitz yesterday morning with severe bite wounds to the head and neck, said Chemnitz police spokeswoman Jana Kindt.

The woman had been cleaning the animal's enclosure.

Investigations showed two sliding hatches separating the leopard from the woman were open.

''Why the hatches were open must be established by further enquiries,'' Kindt said.

Reuters SP RN0929