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Key Points

A zoo worker in Thiruvananthapuram was injured after a tigress named Babitha attacked him during cleaning. The tiger had been moved from Wayanad and was recently placed in the main enclosure. The victim received stitches and was discharged the same day. Zoo officials are investigating the incident.

Key Points: Kerala Zoo Worker Injured by Translocated Wayanad Tiger Babitha

  • Zoo supervisor Ramachandran Nair suffered head injuries in the attack
  • Tigress Babitha was recently moved from quarantine to main enclosure
  • Incident occurred during routine cleaning near the enclosure
  • Officials confirm the tigress was translocated from Wayanad in April
1 min read

Kerala: Thiruvananthapuram Zoo worker injured in attack by tiger translocated from Wayanad

A Thiruvananthapuram Zoo supervisor was attacked by tigress Babitha, translocated from Wayanad, while cleaning her enclosure.

"The tigress suddenly lunged through the bars, clawing his head before he could react. – Zoo Officials"

Thiruvananthapuram, July 27

A supervisor at Thiruvananthapuram Zoo in Kerala's capital city sustained a head injury after being attacked by a female tiger on Sunday morning, zoo authorities said.

The incident took place while the employee, identified as Ramachandran Nair, was overseeing cleaning work near the tigress' enclosure.

The tigress, named Babitha, had been translocated from Wayanad and was recently shifted from a quarantine facility to the main enclosure after undergoing treatment for multiple injuries.

Zoo officials said that the attack occurred when Ramachandran was in the keeper's gallery, a space typically used by staff to monitor the enclosure. The tigress suddenly lunged at the supervisor through the enclosure's bars, clawing his head before he had a chance to react.

Ramachandran was initially rushed to the General Hospital and later transferred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, where he received four stitches for the wound on his head. He was discharged the same day and is recovering at home.

The tigress involved in the incident was captured from Wayanad and brought to the city zoo in April 2024.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
The tigress was probably stressed after being translocated. We need to understand these are wild animals, not pets. Maybe they should have given her more time to adjust before putting her in the main enclosure.
A
Arjun K
Thank God the injury wasn't more serious! Zoo workers do such dangerous jobs with little recognition. They deserve better protective gear and training, especially when handling big cats.
S
Sarah B
As someone who visits this zoo often, I'm concerned. If this happened to a trained staff member, what about visitor safety? The zoo should conduct a thorough safety audit immediately.
V
Vikram M
The tigress was probably acting out of pain from her previous injuries. Maybe the treatment wasn't complete? Wildlife experts should examine her properly before deciding her future.
K
Kavya N
This is why I'm against keeping wild animals in captivity. No matter how big the enclosure, it's not their natural habitat. The stress makes them unpredictable. #FreeBabitha
M
Michael C
While the incident is unfortunate, let's not jump to conclusions. Zoo staff are professionals who understand animal behavior. Sometimes accidents happen despite all precautions.

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