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Pregnant Hippo Kills Vet During Temperature Check
24 Mar
Summary
- Vet Sameeksha Reddy died after a hippo attack on Thursday night.
- The attack occurred during a routine temperature check at a zoo.
- The hippo was pregnant and due to give birth within days.
A tragic incident occurred on Thursday night at the Tavarekoppa Lion and Safari Zoo in Karnataka, India, where veterinarian Sameeksha Reddy, 27, was fatally attacked by a pregnant hippopotamus. Dr. Reddy was performing a routine temperature assessment on the 15-year-old hippo, named Hamsini, using a thermal camera around 11:45 PM. The hippo, which was just days away from delivering its calf, unexpectedly charged and inflicted severe injuries.
Emergency medical treatment was administered to Dr. Reddy at a private hospital in Shivamogga, but she passed away on Friday morning due to extensive internal trauma and significant blood loss. The Karnataka Forest Minister expressed condolences and directed officials to provide compensation to the grieving family.
In response to the unfortunate event, authorities have mandated strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures for veterinarians treating wild animals across all state zoos. An inquiry, comprising senior veterinarians and forest officials, has been initiated to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack and is expected to submit its report within seven days. The hippo had been transferred to the Shivamogga zoo from Mysuru Zoo approximately four years prior.
