A tragedy shook them zoo from Hellbrunn, in Salzburg, Austria, this Tuesday, September 12th. A zookeeper specializing in rhinos was fatally attacked by one of the mammals she dedicated her life to.
The shocking incident occurred before the zoo opened to the public and also resulted in serious injuries to the victim’s husband who was trying to save his wife.
A true tragedy
The victim, a 33yearold German woman, was completing her daily grooming routine with Jeti, a 30yearold female rhino, when the attack occurred suddenly and unexpectedly.
(Image: Pexels/Reproduction)
The carer was applying insect repellent to the animal when it was knocked down and kicked in the chest area. Her husband, who has cared for her for 34 years, bravely intervened to save her, but also injured himself in the process.
Rescue workers were rushed to the scene, but unfortunately the zookeeper succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the zoo. The husband was taken to hospital with serious injuries Life is out of danger.
The director of the Hellbrunn Zoo, Sabine Grebner, expressed her dismay at the tragic incident and emphasized the commitment of the deceased zookeeper: “She was very careful and concerned about the animals and had extremely common sense.” Grebner also pointed out that that the exact reason for the attack has not yet been clarified.
Among the hypotheses is that the rhino’s irritation or a triggering factor may have contributed to the animal’s aggressive behavior.
Zoo management has already announced that it will conduct a comprehensive review of animal safety procedures to look for measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
In addition to an internal audit at the zoo, the Austrian police are also investigating the case. Due to this tragic event, Hellbrunn Zoo remained closed to the public on Tuesday and did not open its doors on Wednesday the 13th.
Rhinos are impressive mammals from the family Rhinocerontidae with five species distributed across four genera.
The majestic animals often live in savannahs and forests and are highly valued for their ecological importance.
Unfortunately, they are also frequent victims of poaching, which threatens their populations around the world. World.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the complexity of caring for wild animals in zoos and the importance of strict safety measures to protect both keepers and the animals in their care.
The ongoing investigation will aim to fully understand the circumstances that led to this death.