Zookeeper gored by rhino
A SENIOR zookeeper was flown to Canberra Hospital for treatment after being gored by a rhino at Mogo Zoo, on the NSW south coast.
The 47-year-old woman suffered a penetration wound on her left arm, which was also suspected to be fractured, when the rhino attacked her yesterday. She was taken to Moruya airport, before being flown to the ACT to be treated at hospital.
“While all safety measures are taken to minimise risk for both animals and keepers occasionally accidents can occur when dealing with large megafauna,” zoo owner Sally Padey said.
The rhino, Kei, is 10 years old and came to the south coast zoo from the Irwin family’s Australia Zoo in 2015.
“Assistance was rendered, and both keeper and rhino are okay,” the zoo said in a statement.
The southern white rhino weighs more than four tonnes, making it one of the heaviest animals in the world.