Zoo keeper mauled by gorilla and rushed to hospital with serious injuries after animal broke through three safety doors
A ZOO keeper has been mauled by a gorilla and rushed to hospital with serious injuries today after the animal broke through three safety doors. The keeper was seriously injured at the Madrid Zoo Aquarium in Spain after being attacked by the 31-stone gorilla named Malabo this morning. The 46-year-old woman suffered a head injury, […]
A ZOO keeper has been mauled by a gorilla and rushed to hospital with serious injuries today after the animal broke through three safety doors.
The keeper was seriously injured at the Madrid Zoo Aquarium in Spain after being attacked by the 31-stone gorilla named Malabo this morning.
The 46-year-old woman suffered a head injury, chest trauma with multiple fractures and and two broken arms.
She was rushed to the Madrid Clinical Hospital in a serious condition.
The gorilla broke through three doors to attack the keeper that had raised Malabo from birth.
The Municipal Police of Madrid have taken over the investigation as it is classified as a work accident.
A statement issued by the zoo said: “Given the event that occurred this morning with a gorilla keeper from the Madrid Zoo, we share our official note and our wishes for a speedy recovery for this worker.
“The events took place this morning, around 10am when a keeper with 19 years of experience at the zoo accessed the indoor facilities for the usual breakfast routine, cleaning and preparing the facilities.
“Upon entering a secure area with a triple door, the caretaker met Malabo, a 29-year-old male gorilla, who had accessed it.”
How the animal was able to break through the three doors is being investigated.
The statement said the area where the keeper was attacked had no access to the public.
The zoo said the emergency protocol was quickly activated, notifying an emergency team and cops.
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The zoo’s statement read: “The zoo team managed to remove the animal and later, the veterinary team anaesthetised the animal with a tranquiliser dart, which was transferred to its interior bedroom and at the moment, it is calm.
“Note that Malabo has been raised by his caregivers since he was born with a protective behaviour towards the group and close to his caregivers. At this time, the caregiver has a reserved prognosis and the first thing is to wish her a speedy recovery.
“Today, the gorilla facilities will remain closed so that both Malabo and the rest of the group are calm.”
