Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram Zoo worker injured in attack by tiger translocated from Wayanad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (Kerala): A supervisor at Thiruvananthapuram Zoo in Kerala’s capital city sustained a head injury after being attacked by a female tiger on Sunday morning, zoo authorities said.

The incident took place while the employee, identified as Ramachandran Nair, was overseeing cleaning work near the tigress’ enclosure.

The tigress, named Babitha, had been translocated from Wayanad and was recently shifted from a quarantine facility to the main enclosure after undergoing treatment for multiple injuries.

Zoo officials said that the attack occurred when Ramachandran was in the keeper’s gallery, a space typically used by staff to monitor the enclosure. The tigress suddenly lunged at the supervisor through the enclosure’s bars, clawing his head before he had a chance to react.

Ramachandran was initially rushed to the General Hospital and later transferred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, where he received four stitches for the wound on his head. He was discharged the same day and is recovering at home.

The tigress involved in the incident was captured from Wayanad and brought to the city zoo in April 2024. (ANI)