A 27-year-old veterinarian has died after being attacked by a pregnant hippopotamus during a routine health check at a zoo in the southern Indian state of Karnataka, officials said.
Dr Sameeksha Reddy, who had joined the Shivamogga zoo earlier this year, was carrying out a temperature assessment of the animal late on Thursday night when the incident occurred. According to zoo authorities, she entered the hippo enclosure shortly before midnight to monitor the pregnant animal using a thermal imaging device.
Officials said the hippopotamus suddenly charged at the veterinarian, causing severe injuries to her abdomen and chest. She was rushed to a private hospital for emergency treatment but died early on Friday morning.
Zoo director V M Amarakshar said Dr Reddy had earlier been treating another animal at the zoo hospital before proceeding to the hippo enclosure for the follow-up examination. Forest Minister Eshwar B Khandre expressed condolences to the family, announced compensation of 3 million rupees (about £27,000), and ordered a high-level investigation into the circumstances surrounding the attack.
Former zoo veterinarian Dr Muruli Manohar said he had been assisting the young doctor but had not advised approaching the hippo at such a late hour. Authorities have been instructed to submit a report within seven days, while police have registered a case of unnatural death following a complaint from Dr Reddy’s father.
Dr Reddy graduated from the Veterinary College in Hebbal in 2023 and previously worked with a wildlife veterinary team in the Mangaluru region before joining the Shivamogga zoo in February.
Hippopotamuses are often regarded as one of Africa’s most dangerous large mammals. Although they are herbivores, wildlife experts say they can become highly aggressive when threatened, protecting territory, or guarding their young. Pregnant females in particular may be especially defensive, making close contact during medical procedures potentially hazardous even for experienced animal handlers.
The incident has prompted renewed discussion about safety protocols for veterinary staff working with large zoo animals, especially during late-night monitoring and emergency health checks.
Zoo Safety and Wildlife Care
Veterinary professionals working with large animals face significant risks, even during routine medical procedures. Conservation experts say strict safety protocols, adequate staffing and careful assessment of animal behaviour are essential when treating species such as hippos, elephants and big cats. Improving enclosure design, monitoring systems and emergency response procedures can help protect both zoo staff and the animals in their care.
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