A zookeeper at the Jacksonville Zoo in Florida was injured during a bear attack on Wednesday around 5pm.
According to a statement from the zoo, the incident occurred after the bear escaped its enclosure and attacked the zoo keeper leading to the bear being fatally shot and killed.
According to NBC Miami, a statement from the zoo said, “Our highest priority is always the safety of human lives, therefore, the bear was shot and killed.”
“We will be conducting an ongoing investigation over the coming days and weeks. We do not take this lightly. It is profoundly painful when we have a loss of an animal, especially under circumstances such as this.”
The zookeeper, whose identity has not been released, was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The bear involved in the attack was fatally shot and killed in order to save the zookeeper’s life.
Zoo officials say that the bear has undergone training exercises in the past without incident, and they are unsure what may have provoked the attack. They are currently reviewing the zoo’s protocols and procedures to ensure the safety of both the animals and the staff.
This is not the first time that a zookeeper has been injured in an animal attack at the Jacksonville Zoo. In 2015, a zookeeper was attacked by a jaguar while conducting a training exercise. The zookeeper suffered serious injuries but ultimately recovered.
The Jacksonville Zoo is home to over 2,000 animals, including gorillas, chimpanzees, and elephants. It is a popular destination for families and tourists and is known for its conservation efforts and educational programming.
Zoo officials say that the safety of both the animals and the staff is their top priority, and they are taking all necessary measures to ensure that such incidents do not occur in the future.
They have expressed their concern and support for the injured zookeeper and will continue to provide updates on their condition.
The incident will be investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Captive Wildlife Office.