Utica Zoo closed for the day following lion attack Tuesday
The Utica Zoo is closed Wednesday, after a male African lion injured a zookeeper Tuesday afternoon during a routine feeding in the lion’s enclosure, zoo officials said.
The zookeeper, whose name has not been released, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at a local hospital, officials said.
The zoo said the lions did not escape their enclosure and that the public and other staff were not at risk.
The zoo is in contact with its accrediting body, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, informing them of the incident.
"There will be no punitive action against our lions," said Andria Heath, Utica Zoo executive director, in a statement. “An incident occurred which is being reviewed, will be learned from, and we are all grateful our staff and animals are okay."
Officials announced that the zoo will be closed to the public Wednesday while they review their procedures and allow staff to focus on taking care of themselves and the animals.
The zoo plans to reopen to the public on Thursday.
“On behalf of the zoo's staff and board of directors, we thank the majority of our community who have reached out with concern and well wishes,” Utica Zoo Spokesperson Allie Snyder said in a statement.
This article originally appeared on Observer-Dispatch: Utica Zoo closes for day after keeper attacked by lion
