Dallas Zookeeper Attacked By Lioness

  • 10 years ago
A keeper at Dallas Zoo was recently injured following an encounter with a female lion. The incident occurred on Saturday when the creatures were being moved to the off-exhibit lion house.

A keeper at Dallas Zoo was recently injured following an encounter with a female lion. The incident occurred on Saturday when the creatures were being moved to the off-exhibit lion house.

During the transfer process, the zookeeper accidentally failed to close the door in the Giants of the Savanna lion exhibit. The lioness took advantage of the mistake and engaged the keeper.

The animal bit the 35-year-old staffer. He was able to use his pepper spray to get away from the lioness.

The keeper is reportedly one of the most experienced at the facility. He encountered one bite to the shoulder and several scratches to his body. The zoo keeper was transported to the hospital after the attack.

His injuries are listed as non-life-threatening and he is said to be in good spirits. The lioness will not be punished or euthanized, but she was sedated and transferred to a secure area after the incident.

Dallas zoo president and CEO Gregg Hudson commented “We have a lot of double checks and double standards to make sure that … everything is safe but humans make errors.” The Giants of the Savanna was open the day following the attack.

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