By Emily Malia
Copyright irishmirror
Kelly Ann Walz and her husband, Michael, were widely known by everyone in their circle as devoted animal enthusiasts who utilised their fortune to shelter exotic and endangered creatures.
Their opulent hilltop residence, situated near Allentown, Pennsylvania, in the US, housed numerous animals until a horrific tragedy struck their property, which served as both home and wildlife sanctuary.
Their menagerie of exotic beasts featured an African lion, a cougar, a jaguar, a tiger, a leopard, and two servals. Whilst these creatures alone presented enormous danger, it was their cherished bear, Teddy, that ultimately proved most lethal.
In October 2009, Kelly’s lifeless body was discovered inside Teddy’s enclosure, not far from his own corpse, according to accounts from The Seattle Times. The couple had devoted nine years to nurturing the bear from cubhood through to maturity at their residence.
The 37-year-old had commissioned a bespoke 15-by-15-foot enclosure constructed from steel and concrete, which was undergoing cleaning when Teddy launched his deadly assault. Reports indicated this wasn’t actually the first occasion they’d encountered problems with the bear’s temperament, reports the Mirror.
Given this knowledge, the Walzes attempted to manage him and their other animals safely by hurling food into another section of the enclosure, keeping the beasts distracted whilst they cleaned. When the devastating news of Kelly’s death emerged, family friend and neighbour Scott Castone told journalists: “She’s done it 1,000 times, and on 1,001, something happened.”
It was the children of a neighbour who witnessed the horrifying scene from their home, as they saw the 350-pound bear attack Kelly while she screamed for help.
But it was too late – by the time Scott Castone arrived armed at their property, Kelly had already lost her life.
In an effort to protect himself and others in the vicinity, he took a shot at the bear, killing it. He explained: “He got off of her to come out to me. I did what anyone would do. It was pretty much self-defence.”
Despite the Walz’s alleged precautions with their animal care, Tim Conway, a supervisor for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, believes more could have been done to ensure their safety. His expertise suggests that most keepers utilise a two-section cage, so the animal is completely isolated while the other section is being cleaned.
He said: “Why this woman chose to go in the same area that the bear was in is beyond me. It’s a fatal mistake. These things are not tame animals; they’re wild animals.”
As reported by CBS News, Michael Walz was listed in state corporation records as the president of World of Reptiles Inc. at the time of Kelly’s tragic death.
The business, which appeared to be based in their shared home, was believed to have been established back in 1988.
