In Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden, better known as Lucknow Zoo, in Uttar Pradesh, India, a zoo cleaner met his death following an attack by a hippopotamus.
The cleaner, identified as Suraj Dunak, around 40 years old, entered the hippopotamus enclosure for cleaning purposes when the incident occurred on Monday, December 18, 2023.
Dunak, who had dedicated over a decade of service to the zoo, was undertaking his routine cleaning duty in the hippo enclosure alongside a colleague when the fatal attack took place.
A 20-year-old hippopotamus named Indira, who had been recently transferred from Kanpur Zoo to Lucknow Zoo, managed to escape its confinement during the cleaning process. The animal, exhibiting its natural aggressive behavior, attacked the employee, leading to fatal injuries.
The other employee present during the incident, identified as Raju, narrowly escaped the enclosure but sustained injuries. He was later admitted to a hospital where he is reported to be in stable condition.
The zoo director, Aditi Sharma, confirmed that the hippopotamus was secured following the incident, and no further injuries were reported. Sharma also said that the zoo was closed to visitors at the time of the attack, and a comprehensive investigation has been promised to find out the exact circumstances leading to the tragic event.
Hippos are semi-aquatic mammals that can be unpredictable and territorial. They are the deadliest large land mammals in the world. Though attacks in India are uncommon because hippos are no longer native to the country, there are an estimated 500 attacks on humans each year in Africa.
Established in 1921, the Lucknow Zoo is home to over 1,000 animals from nearly 104 species, including lions, tigers, bears, and hyenas. This incident has raised concerns about safety protocols and measures for zoo staff working close to potentially dangerous animals.
Dunak is survived by his wife and two children. The zoo community and his family mourn the loss of a dedicated and experienced zookeeper.
