Updated at 6:25 p.m. ET
PORTLAND, Ore.Authorities say an employee at an Oregon animal sanctuary has been attacked and killed by a wildcat.
Renee Radziwon, 36, of Portland, died in the Saturday night attack at WildCat Haven Sanctuary in suburban Sherwood, Deputy Mark Nikolai of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Sunday.
No details of the attack or type of animal were released.
Sgt. Robert Wurpes of the sheriff's office said the animal was locked in a cage following the attack.
Jim Caliva, a Wildcat Haven Sanctuary board member, told The Oregonian that Radziwon was an experienced worker who had a good rapport with the animals.
"Her relationship with the cats was amazing," Caliva told the paper. "She knew exactly what she was doing, but apparently there was a mistake. I don't know what it could be."
Caliva said Radziwon worked with all the cats at the sanctuary.
"They knew her and walked up to the fence," he told The Oregonian. "She was one of the best people I've ever met."
Its website describes the facility as a "last hope" for wildcats that have been abandoned or abused, including bobcats, cougars, lynx and tigers.
As of this summer, there were 67 animals at the sanctuary, reports CBS affiliate KOIN in Portland. Last year the sanctuary rescued two Bengal tigers, Nora and Katie, from their life in Ohio.
In less than a year, they move into a home 10 times larger -- 82 acres -- about 40 miles south, KOIN reports.
The facility is not open to the public, but does provide on-site tours to donors.
PORTLAND, Ore.Authorities say an employee at an Oregon animal sanctuary has been attacked and killed by a wildcat.
Renee Radziwon, 36, of Portland, died in the Saturday night attack at WildCat Haven Sanctuary in suburban Sherwood, Deputy Mark Nikolai of the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office said in a news release Sunday.
No details of the attack or type of animal were released.
Sgt. Robert Wurpes of the sheriff's office said the animal was locked in a cage following the attack.
Jim Caliva, a Wildcat Haven Sanctuary board member, told The Oregonian that Radziwon was an experienced worker who had a good rapport with the animals.
"Her relationship with the cats was amazing," Caliva told the paper. "She knew exactly what she was doing, but apparently there was a mistake. I don't know what it could be."
Caliva said Radziwon worked with all the cats at the sanctuary.
"They knew her and walked up to the fence," he told The Oregonian. "She was one of the best people I've ever met."
Its website describes the facility as a "last hope" for wildcats that have been abandoned or abused, including bobcats, cougars, lynx and tigers.
As of this summer, there were 67 animals at the sanctuary, reports CBS affiliate KOIN in Portland. Last year the sanctuary rescued two Bengal tigers, Nora and Katie, from their life in Ohio.
In less than a year, they move into a home 10 times larger -- 82 acres -- about 40 miles south, KOIN reports.
The facility is not open to the public, but does provide on-site tours to donors.