Hurt zoo worker entered elephant cage alone

Associated Press

TOLEDO

Toledo Zoo officials say an elephant manager who was injured by an elephant had entered the animal’s cage alone against zoo protocol.

Zoo Deputy Director Ron Fricke said Friday that Don RedFox was carrying carrots when he entered the cage of the 7-year-old African elephant named Louie on Thursday. Fricke says the animal was not facing RedFox, and it appears it was startled.

The 53-year-old RedFox suffered broken ribs, a wrist injury and abrasions. He remained in a local hospital Friday.

The zoo is forming a team to look into the matter. RedFox has worked for the zoo since 1977 and cared for Louie since the elephant’s birth at the zoo in 2003.

Louie and the zoo’s two other elephants were on exhibit Friday. Keepers are caring for Louie from protected areas.

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