Vienna | AFP
In an attack by a white rhinoceros, a zookeeper in Salzburg, Austria, was killed and her husband, also an employee, seriously injured this Tuesday (12), local police reported.
According to the statement, the incident occurred “in the early hours of the morning during routine work in the rhino area.” According to the press, the 33yearold keeper was applying insect repellent to the animal’s skin in the cage when it was attacked. She died ten minutes later, at the scene of the accident.
Authorities still don’t know why the animal attacked the caretaker and her 34yearold husband, who was feeding the animals and intervened to save them. He has been employed at the zoo since 2008, was taken to the hospital, underwent surgery and his life is not in danger.
According to local media, the victim likely died after being trampled by the animal named Yeti, which is 30 years old and weighs 1.8 tons.
Rhinos do not typically behave aggressively and generally accept care, zoo director Sabine Grebner told local media. “She had been with us since 2014 and was always very careful and attentive,” she said of the caregiver.
The cause of the accident is still being investigated. “We don’t know exactly what happened, we are deeply shaken and shocked,” said Grebner, who said safety standards were being reassessed.
With 1,500 animals in its 14,000 hectare gardens in Hellbrunn Palace, the zoo, which expressed solidarity with the victim’s family, welcomes around 400,000 visitors annually and will remain closed this Tuesday.