Badak Serang Two Salzburg Zoo Officers: One Died, One Others Seriously Injured

JAKARTA - A rhino attacked two Salzburg zoo officers, Austria last Tuesday, leaving one dead and another injured, zoo officials said.

The incident occurred in the morning when animals were fed and given insect wetting drugs, the director of the Hellbrunn Salzburg Zoo, total Grebner, said at a press conference.

"We don't know exactly how it happened," Grebner said, adding that the female zookeeper who died suffered a chest wound.

The zookeeper who died was a German from the state of Bavaria, very experienced and specialized in the field of rhinos. Meanwhile, his injured colleague, a man, is responsible for animal feed.

"Other zookeepers rushed to help their colleagues and tried to scare the rhino, but were attacked by the animal and he was seriously injured," Salzburg police said, citing The Sun.

The man suffered a fracture due to the attack. He was flown by helicopter to the Salzburg University Hospital and underwent thigh surgery.

The female rhino, which is known to be a white rhino, is threatened with extinction, is said to be named Yeti.

Grebner did not reveal what would happen to the rhino, but said they were evaluating all safety regulations.

Police are currently checking surveillance cameras to investigate the trigger for the attack.

Separately, the International Fund for Animal Welfare said rhinos are very rare to be aggressive unless harassed or feel threatened.

"Advertises prefer to roam without obstacles and disturbances. However, if they feel a threat, they may defend themselves by attacking. The female rhinos are often very protective against their children," the charity said on its website, according to The National News.

It is known, female rhinos can weigh about 1,400 kg and are nearly 1.8 meters high. They are considered endangered species.