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Servals (African wildcats) at the WildCat Haven sanctuary in Sherwood.

(Jacques Von Lunen/Special to The Oregonian (2009))

Authorities report one employee died Saturday after being attacked by a wildcat at a Sherwood animal sanctuary.

The call came in about 7 p.m. this evening, according to Sgt. Robert Wurpes of the Clackamas County Sheriff's office. He said the medical examiner had just arrived at the WildCat Haven sanctuary; he declined to release any details about the victim except to say that the individual worked at the sanctuary.

Earlier, Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue identified the victim as a 35-year-old woman.

WildCat’s website describes the facility as a “last hope” sanctuary for more than 60 wildcats that have been abandoned or abused. Its residents include bobcats, caracals, cougars, lynx, servals and tigers, plus a small number of hybrids.

The facility is not open to the public, but does provide on-site tours to donors.

Co-founders Cheryl and Michael Tuller opened the facility in 2001. Last summer, the sanctuary announced plans to move from its 8-acre facility in Sherwood to an 82-acre site near Silverton. But the Tullers did not set a timetable for the move.

Portland steel executive and philanthropist Howard Hedinger had offered to match 100 percent of donations to raise $125,000 for the move.

-- Mike Rogoway; twitter: @rogoway; phone: 503-294-7699