Komodo dragon bites, injures zoo employee
SUMMIT COUNTY, Ohio (WOIO/Gray News) - An employee at the Akron Zoo is currently recovering at home after being bitten by one of the park’s Komodo dragons earlier this month, according to a news release.
The incident happened on March 3 in the Komodo Kingdom, Akron Zoo officials said.
A second Komodo dragon who did not bite the employee was also injured, according to the zoo.
A zoo official added they are still reviewing what led to the incident.
The park is working with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration during the investigation.
An OSHA representative told WOIO the team has investigated the incident, as well as the zoo’s procedures, training program and personal protective equipment requirements, and found no issues with Akron Zoo’s protocol.
“In this incident, two male Komodo Dragons unintentionally entered the same cage and attacked each other. The injured employee instinctively tried to intervene and was injured by the larger male Komodo Dragon. Responders quickly administered first aid. The zoo was responsive to OSHA’s inquiry into this incident and has planned extensive follow-up training for affected employees,” a statement from OSHA and the U.S. Department of Labor read.
“We will update as more information is available, consistent with privacy requirements and federal law. We also want to honor our employee’s privacy, so we are providing no other details at this time,” a spokesperson with the Akron Zoo said.
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