Tapir attack in Dublin Zoo

Judgement Day

http://www.irishexaminer.com/ireland/child-2-seriously-injured-in-tapir-mauling-at-dublin-zoo-239359.html



I just couldn't believe this story when I heard it on the news this morning. Without rushing to judgement at this early stage so many questions arise:

1. Why would any parent wish bring such a young child so close to a wild animal?

2. What part of 'wild' do the authorities at Dublin Zoo not understand?

3. What action did the member of staff who was with the mother and child take? All that has been reported is that the mother was injured herself when she intervened.

4. Can anyone at Dublin Zoo read? http://www.nytimes.com/1998/11/21/us/national-news-briefs-zoo-keeper-loses-arm-as-animal-attacks-her.html

It's a long time since I've been to the Zoo and after this it will be a lot longer.

OpenYourEyes

The Tapir gave birth around a month ago - presumably it was on 'high alert' to protect its calf from a perceived threat, I'd imagine they're relatively docile normally. Still shouldn't have been let happen obviously.

elfy4eva

From the article above it seems the zookeepers are at serious fault. Would seem they got complacent about how defensive Tapir's can be. I really hope mother and child recover quickly. I also hope the animals don't bear the brunt of the negative press.

Will be eager to see if any more facts come to light.

thegreatgonzo

I like Dublin Zoo and think it is well run but without hearing the whole facts it does sound like a serious error on behalf of the zookeeper. But we don't really know what happened either. I didn't know they did routine supervised visits anyway but I'm surprised that anyone would be let near an animal who had recently given birth.

shootermacg

We shall leave no stone unturned in our war on Tapirs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Capercaille

Probably just a freak accident. You could go into a pen with cattle and one of them might out of the blue attack or a placid dog might bite you.

thegreatgonzo

Don't I know it. I had to jump over a wall yesterday to get away from a normally chilled out cow who thought I was after her young'un.

footstool

One news articular used the word "mauled"...
People are idiots, we are cause we think we can walk up to any animal and presume that it wont attack us. I work with animals and I can see how stupid people can be around "so adorable" animals. Just cause they are cute, doesn't mean they wont bite if they feel threatened!!

This Tapir was protecting her young, and yes she attacked cause she was not sure if the humans were going to harm her baby or not. They can be so tame and gentle around people they know, of course they would be, they learnt that this human doesn't harm them, but a stranger coming along, entering in her territory, damn straight she is going to attack. She is a mother of a defenseless baby, its her in her instinct to attack!

If Rio is put down for a natural reaction to protect, I have lost all faith in humanity and just proves further that Ireland is an embarrassment to Animal Welfare...

thegreatgonzo

The zoo released a statement a while ago saying nothing is going to happen to the Tapir.

fryup

well if local brazilians are wary of them they must have an aggressive side to their nature...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsRiBz13uzs