His mutilated blood-drenched body was found with multiple bites inside the animal’s cage.
The male big cat called Milan “bit through the man’s neck” after pouncing on the Ukrainian aged between 25 and 30 as soon as he unlocked the entrance to the cage.
The panther escaped through the open door.
The predator was caught “several hours later” following a major search, according to reports.
A picture shows the man’s body in the cage.
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Another image highlights the animal after the fatal attack.
Initial reports said the dead man was a keeper.
But millionaire zoo owner Sergey Knyaginichev denied this, claiming the man was a visitor from Ukraine who should never have gone inside the cage.
He did not explain why the man was wearing a keeper’s uniform when he was killed.
The owner blamed the man for the incident and refused to put down the panther.
An autopsy was being carried out on the body of the Ukrainian man.
Knyaginichev claimed the man may have been drunk.
The attack was at a private zoo in the village of Obnovlenny Trud – meaning ‘Renewed Labour’ – in the Istra district of Moscow region.
Locals said there were no previous incidents at the private zoo.
“The only problem was hearing a lion’s loud and somewhat annoying roar,” said one neighbour.
The zoo includes other big cats including a lion and tiger.
The Investigative Committee – which deals with serious crimes in Russia – said a probe has been launched into the accident.
“The man wanted to feed the animal and the panther attacked him when he entered the cage,” said a spokesman.
The zoo owner is described as the general manager of Business Aero Airlines in Moscow.
A TV report five years ago said his wife Yelena’s lion had terrorised the local village.
The report claimed residents were nervous about dangers from the big cats in the private zoo.
The zoo has been open around ten years, according to reports.