A 27-year-old veterinarian lost her life on Friday after being attacked by a hippopotamus at the Tavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Sanctuary, officials said.
The deceased, Sameeksha Reddy, had recently joined the sanctuary as a veterinary officer. A native of Bengaluru, she was on duty late on Thursday night when the incident occurred.
According to officials, Reddy had gone to the zoo hospital around 10:30 pm to treat a sun conure bird. Later, at approximately 11:45 pm, she was monitoring the body temperature of a pregnant hippopotamus using a thermal camera when the animal suddenly attacked her.
She sustained severe injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Shivamogga, where she underwent surgery. However, she succumbed to her injuries at around 6:30 am on Friday.
Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister of Karnataka Eshwar Khandre expressed condolences over the tragic incident. He assured that the state government stands with the bereaved family and has directed officials to provide compensation as per established norms.
The minister also emphasised strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for wildlife treatment across all zoos in the state. Additionally, he has ordered the formation of an investigation team comprising senior veterinarians and forest officials, directing them to submit a detailed report within seven days.
The incident has raised concerns over safety protocols during wildlife handling, particularly in high-risk environments involving large and potentially dangerous animals.
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