The buzz of excitement at Berlin Zoo was abruptly interrupted by cries of panic and a loud splash as something dropped into the moat within the polar bear enclosure.
To the shock of onlookers that was the sound of a 32-year-old woman who was now inside the exhibit and swimming towards the polar bears.
It was a Friday in Spring 2009, with Easter just days away, locals and tourists alike flocked to Berlin Zoo. The crowds were buzzing with excitement to see the zoo’s star attraction: the family of four polar bears.
It was feeding time and, as usual, the bears drew huge crowds as eager spectators gathered around the enclosure to catch a glimpse of the arctic beasts. However – so dangerous are the predators – that even zookeepers don’t enter the paddock during this time.
Their fun day out at the zoo would soon take a nightmarish turn after a woman scaled the three foot perimeter wall and jumped into the icy water below.
Incredible photographs captured the bear as it pounced on…
