The shock is deep after a German zookeeper died at the Salzburg zoo on Tuesday morning while working with a white rhino. Further details have now been announced at a press conference. Accordingly, the worker was fatally injured in the chest by the 1.8-ton animal named “Yeti”. A colleague – the nurse’s husband – was also seriously injured and is currently undergoing surgery.
Shortly before 7 a.m. the two employees started their morning care in the rhino enclosure. The accident happened while rubbing insect repellent. One of the white rhinos is said to have suddenly attacked the young woman, krone.at reports. Her colleague and husband tried to chase the animal away, but without success.
It is still unclear why the 30-year-old rhino attacked the woman. When asked whether rhinos are generally aggressive animals, zoo director Sabine Grebner replied: “No, rhinos are generally heavy.” However, the animals have poor eyesight, which can lead to dangerous situations.
Surveillance cameras evaluated
The investigation by both the police and the zoo is still ongoing. This includes checking whether surveillance cameras recorded anything unusual the night before. However, the accident took place in a closed area; there are no cameras there.
Experienced employees
The 33-year-old nurse died a short time later from her serious injuries despite resuscitation. The 34-year-old colleague and husband was probably seriously injured by the rhino. He was taken by ambulance to the Salzburg University Hospital and is currently undergoing surgery on his femur, suspected of a fracture. His life is not in danger.
According to the zoo director, both employees are experienced and trained animal keepers who have been working there for years.
Zoo remains closed
Salzburg Zoo remains closed all day. A crisis intervention team is on site, the Red Cross said. Further investigations are still ongoing. “We express our deep condolences to the relatives,” the Salzburg zoo management said at the press conference.
The rhino enclosure has been around for more than 30 years. In the past there have been repeated problems with livestock farming at the Salzburg Zoo. The zoo announced at the press conference that it would conduct further investigation.
Source: Krone
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