In the Dutch safari park Beekse Bergen, ten animals were killed in a fire. Police are treating the fire as arson.
The fire occurred on the night of Wednesday to Thursday during a temporary shutdown of the park due to the coronavirus. Ten antelopes died, two kudus and eight impalas.
Around 9 am, caretakers found the animals burned to death in two country houses. Due to the cold in the Netherlands, the impalas and kudus spend the night indoors. Two country houses were completely burned down.
Police are currently conducting an extensive investigation and will view images from the surveillance cameras. Eyewitnesses are also asked to report if they saw something.
The safari park said in a statement that they are very shocked and baffled by the attack. The park has tightened nightly surveillance.
Safari Park Beekse Bergen is the largest safari park in the Netherlands. The country is currently severely affected by the coronavirus. As a result, the government has decided to close all public places until further notice.
The safari park made headlines two years ago when French visitors got out of their car during a safari ride and were almost attacked by cheetahs.