Veterinary Doctor Killed In Hippopotamus Attack In Karnataka Zoo
Forest minister Khandre ordered an inquiry into the incident and directed that a report be submitted within seven days.
Bengaluru : A veterinarian Sameeksha Reddy, 27, allegedly met a tragic death after she came under attack from a pregnant Hippopotamus in the paddock (fenced area) in Shivamogga Zoo, Tiger and Lion Safari on Sunday at around 11.45 pm. She was selected as a Veterinary officer and was trained by a Zoo veterinarian. She was from Bengaluru.
The vet was treated at a hospital however she died on Monday at around 6.30 am unable to respond to the treatment. Prior to the hippo attack on her, Sameeksha Reddy went to Zoo hospital to take follow-up treatment of sun conure bird at around 10.30 pm.
Zoo Authority of Karnataka official source stated “It was a case of false sense of security” which proved costly for Sameeksha Reddy. A source said hippos account more human deaths in Africa than Lions/elephants and stated “Most underestimate hippos and come under attacks leading to fatalities in Africa in the wild.”
A release from the Shivamogga Zoo, Tiger and Lion Safari Director stated Sameeksha Reddy went into the paddock of the pregnant hippo to take the temperature of the animal using the thermal camera when suddenly the hippo attacked her. The vet was shifted to a hospital where she succumbed to the injuries.
However, a senior official of Zoo Authority of Karnataka told Deccan Chronicle “Reddy went on her own to monitor the health of the pregnant hippo since the animal was unmoved and the attack on her by the hippo was accidental.”
“Generally, vets/animal keepers get complacent thinking that they are used to a particular animal in captivity and approach an animal in captivity which is a mistake. There are instances of tiger attacks on vets/keepers in captivity among others,” the source said and stated “In Sameeksha’s case, the vet went with a good faith as a vet to monitor the health of the pregnant hippo.”
The source said “No officer of the Zoo had asked Sameeksha Reddy to attend the hippo. It was her voluntary decision to note the health of the pregnant hippo and it turned out to be a big mistake.”
In Bengaluru, Minister of Forests and Environment Eshwar Khandre sought a probe into the incident which led to the death of Sameeksha Reddy and constituted a team of vets and forest officers to probe the death. The Minister wanted a report in a week.
