In a concerning incident at Woodland Park Zoo (WPZ) in Seattle, an animal keeper required medical attention following a bite from an orangutan on Saturday. The injury, described as serious but not life-threatening, occurred when the orangutan managed to bite through a mesh barrier, impacting the keeper’s hand.
The zoo reported that the bite took place during a routine training session, which is a standard part of the care and enrichment provided to the animals. Following the incident, a veterinarian promptly assessed the orangutan involved. Thankfully, the examination confirmed that the animal was unharmed and exhibiting normal behavior.
Dr. Luis Neves, the senior director of animal care at WPZ, reassured the public, stating, “The orangutan care team will continue to provide training and routine care for each orangutan to maintain normalcy and will closely monitor the animals.” This commitment to the animals’ welfare highlights the zoo’s dedication to maintaining a safe environment for both its staff and the animals.
While the zoo has chosen to respect the privacy of the injured keeper, they expressed deep concern for their wellbeing. Alejandro Grajal, president and CEO of WPZ, emphasized the emotional impact of the incident, saying, “We are very saddened our team member was injured and know this has been a very stressful and difficult experience for them and the rest of our Animal Care team. We are in contact with the animal keeper and will do all we can to support them as they heal.”
The zoo continues to prioritize the safety of its staff and the animals, ensuring that training practices are conducted with the utmost care and attention to safety protocols. The fact that the veterinarian found the orangutan to be safe and behaving normally is reassuring, but it also underscores the need for continuous vigilance during training sessions.
Source: Seattle Medium
