A tragedy shook the Zoo of Hellbrunn, in Salzburg, Austria, this Tuesday, September 12th. An animal keeper specializing in rhinos was fatally attacked by one of the mammals to which she dedicated her life.
The shocking incident occurred before the zoo opened to the public and also resulted in serious injuries to the victim's husband, who tried to save his wife.
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The victim, a 33-year-old German woman, was carrying out her daily care routine with Jeti, a 30-year-old female rhinoceros, when the attack occurred suddenly and unexpectedly.
(Image: Pexels/reproduction)
The caregiver was applying insect repellent to the animal when she was knocked down and stepped on in the chest area. Her husband, a 34-year-old carer, bravely intervened to try to rescue her, but also ended up hurting himself in the process.
Emergency teams were rushed to the scene, but unfortunately, the keeper succumbed to her injuries and was pronounced dead at the zoo. Her husband was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, but his
life is out of danger.Hellbrunn Zoo director Sabine Grebner expressed her dismay at the tragic incident and highlighted the dedication of the deceased caregiver: “She was very careful and concerned about the animals, in addition to having an extreme common sense". Grebner also pointed out that, to date, the exact reason for the attack has not yet been clarified.
Among the hypotheses, the rhino's irritation or some triggering factor may have contributed to the animal's aggressive behavior.
The zoo's management has already announced that it will undergo a complete review of animal handling safety procedures, looking for measures to avoid similar incidents in the future.
In addition to an internal audit at the zoo, Austrian police are also investigating the case. As a result of this tragic event, Hellbrunn Zoo remained closed to the public on Tuesday and also did not open its doors on Wednesday the 13th.
Rhinos are imposing mammals from the Rhinocerontidae family, with five species distributed across four genera.
The majestic animals often live in savannas and forests and are highly valued for conservation due to their ecological importance.
Unfortunately, they are also often targets of poaching, which threatens their populations across the world. world.
This tragic incident serves as a reminder of the complexities involved in caring for wild animals in zoos. and the importance of strict safety measures to protect both caregivers and the animals in their care.
The ongoing investigation will seek to fully understand the circumstances that led to this fatality.
