A tragic rhinoceros attack at the Hellbrunn Zoo in Salzburg, Austria, resulted in the loss of a female zookeeper and the severe injury of her husband, who attempted to save her.
Tuesday’s tragic incident has left the zoo community and authorities in disbelief.
Salzburg Zoo Tragedy: The Terrifying Rhino Attack
The 30-year-old female rhino Jeti was at the center of the tragic incident, though the reasons for her aggression remain obscure.
The female zookeeper, a 33-year-old German citizen from Bavaria, was entrusted with administering insect repellent to the rhino’s body, as these animals are known to be highly susceptible to insect bites.
This information was provided by the superintendent of the zoo, Sabine Grebner. Despite efforts to resuscitate her, the woman tragically succumbed to her injuries at the site.
Her husband, a fellow zookeeper and Austrian citizen of 34 years old who was feeding other animals at the time, courageously attempted to intervene and drive the rhino away from his wife.
Consequently, he sustained injuries, including a fractured limb, and was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Following Austrian privacy laws, the identities of the zookeepers have not been made public.
The male had worked at the zoo since 2008, and his wife, a certified animal caretaker, had been employed there since 2014.
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Salzburg Zoo’s Rhino Incident: Safety Protocols Under Review
The zoo’s director praised the woman’s dedication and professionalism, characterizing her as ‘very careful and thoughtful’ when interacting with animals.
The circumstances surrounding the tragic assault are still being investigated, and Grebner has expressed profound sorrow and shock over the incident.
She also emphasized that, in light of the calamity, all safety protocols at the zoo would be extensively reviewed and evaluated.
The involved rhino, Jeti, has been part of the menagerie since 2009 and is estimated to weigh 1.8 tons.
The zoo personnel described her as cooperative and well-behaved, as she had resided there for over a decade.
She even assumed a maternal role with juvenile animals in 2015 when she gave birth to a cub.
The Salzburg Zoo has four rhinoceros, including three females and one male.
According to the zoo’s superintendent, all the rhinos are acclimated to human interaction, responding to their names and exhibiting high cooperation.
Blood-drawing procedures can be conducted without using any form of anesthesia.
The Salzburg police are actively investigating the incident to determine the precise causes of the fatal attack.
As a consequence of the tragic incident, the zoo was closed on Tuesday and Wednesday, allowing the zoo community and visitors time for mourning and reflection.
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