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Blue Zoo Employee Bitten by Shark

Incident Date:
07/22/2024
Location:
Des Moines, IA - USA
Facility Name:
Blue Zoo
Facility Type:
Non-accredited Facility (RSZ)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Marine
Animal:
Bamboo Shark
Animal disposition:
Dead

Summary:

Des Moines, Iowa — An employee at Blue Zoo in West Des Moines was bitten by a shark Monday afternoon. According to the West Des Moines Fire Department, an employee was inside of a tank and performing regular caretaking duties when they were bitten by a 18-inch long bamboo shark. The employee was transported to a Des Moines hospital with non life-threatening injuries.

According to a statement from the zoo: the shark “became startled and latched onto the skin of [the caregiver’s] hand between her thumb and forefinger and refused to release. The team made multiple attempts to pry the shark’s mouth open, but the Bamboo Shark’s teeth, similar to small hooks, made it difficult. Consequently, management decided to call emergency responders. Despite their efforts, the EMTs were also unable to open the shark’s mouth, leading to the humane euthanasia of the shark.”

Action take by Born Free USA:

Notes: