SINGAPORE: An animal handler at the Singapore Zoo was hospitalised after being bitten by an adult Malayan tapir on the evening of Aug 26.<\/p>\n
The incident happened during routine end-of-day activities, when the keeper was guiding the animal back to its off-exhibit den, said a Mandai Wildlife Group spokesperson in reply to queries from The Straits Times on Saturday (Aug 29).<\/p>\n
The spokesperson added that a second keeper, who was also in the exhibit, stepped in to help the colleague, and the tapir was secured in its den shortly after.<\/p>\n
ST has learnt that the tapir involved in the Aug 26 incident is a 23-year-old female that remains under the care of Mandai Wildlife Group.<\/p>\n
The zookeeper, who is currently in hospital, is \u201con the way to recovery\u201d under close medical supervision, said the spokesperson, adding that the group is in close touch with the employee and the family to provide support.<\/p>\n
Tapirs are generally shy and non-confrontational animals, and incidents like this are rare, the spokesperson said.<\/p>\n
The tapir involved in the Aug 26 incident was born under Mandai\u2019s care, said the spokesperson, adding that its keepers have worked closely with her throughout her life, including during her pregnancies and the birth of her calf.<\/p>\n
The spokesperson said: \u201cThe strong relationships our animal care teams build with the animals allow us to provide a high standard of care and husbandry.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the same time, this incident is a reminder that all wild animals, even those familiar to their caregivers and generally accustomed to human presence, can behave unpredictably and have the potential to cause injury.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Malayan tapir \u2013 the only tapir species native to Asia \u2013 is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. That means it is at high risk of going extinct in the wild.<\/p>\n
In its Aug 29 statement, the spokesperson said it is reviewing the incident and its operating procedures to determine whether additional measures can further enhance the safety of both staff and animals. – The Straits Times\/ANN<\/p>\n
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