A rhino kills a trained professional in Austria. It has attacked a married couple who are employed as zookeepers. Unfortunately resulting in the tragic death of the woman, causing severe injuries to the man as he bravely tried to rescue her.
Zoo director Sabine Grebner informed the media that the 33-year-old woman, a German national, had been tasked with applying insect repellent to the rhinoceros on that particular day due to the animal’s sensitivity to insect bites.
The tragedy
According to Austria’s APA news agency, the 30-year-old female rhino named Jeti unexpectedly attacked the keeper. The reason for the attack where a rhino kills remains unclear, as stated by Ms. Grebner. Despite efforts to revive her, Salzburg police confirmed that the woman “succumbed to her injuries at the accident scene.” The second zookeeper, a 34-year-old Austrian citizen also attempted to intervene when the rhino attacked his wife, and suffered injuries in the process.
The male zookeeper, who is a trained animal handler, has been employed at the zoo since 2008, while his wife, a certified animal keeper, joined in 2014. Ms. Grebner emphasized that the woman was known for her meticulous and considerate approach to handling animals. She possessed an exceptional skill when interacting with them. The exact circumstances leading to the attack are yet to be fully determined.
Rhino kills: Is this rare?
Attacks by rhinoceroses on zookeepers are relatively rare, but they can occur. Rhinos are large and powerful animals, and their behavior can be unpredictable. The circumstances surrounding such incidents vary, but they often involve keepers entering the animal’s enclosure for routine tasks or maintenance.
Zookeepers typically receive extensive training in animal behavior and safety protocols to minimize the risk of such incidents. Safety measures, enclosures, and protocols are in place to protect both zookeepers and the animals. However, even with precautions in place, accidents can happen.
Can rhinos be kept in captivity?
Rhinoceroses can be kept in captivity in zoos, wildlife reserves, and conservation facilities to serve important purposes. These include conservation through breeding programs, educational outreach, research, disease management, and potential future reintroduction into the wild. However, maintaining captive rhinos requires specialized care due to their size and unique needs, and reintroduction efforts must be carefully planned and monitored. These efforts contribute to the preservation of endangered rhino species and raise public awareness about their conservation.
What provoked the attack?
- Stress or Agitation: Rhinos may become stressed or agitated due to changes in their environment, routine, or interactions with humans. Sudden disturbances, loud noises, or unfamiliar people in their enclosure can trigger defensive reactions.
- Protective Behavior: Rhinos can be protective of their territory, especially if they perceive a threat to themselves or their young. They may interpret the presence of a zookeeper as a threat, particularly if the zookeeper enters their enclosure.
- Mistaken Identity: Rhinos might not recognize a familiar zookeeper due to factors like changes in clothing or scent. This may result in leading to a mistaken identity and defensive behavior.
- Health Issues: Physical discomfort or health issues, such as injury or illness can make rhinos more irritable or aggressive.
- Reproductive Behavior: Some rhino species exhibit territorial or aggressive behaviors during breeding seasons.
It’s important to note that rhinos, like all wild animals, have natural instincts and can react unpredictably in certain situations. That’s why zookeepers undergo extensive training and follow strict safety protocols when working with these animals to minimize the risk of incidents. After an attack, investigations are often conducted to understand the specific circumstances and potential triggers. This can help improve safety measures and protocols in captivity.
For more on rhinos read on:
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