| Bite incident prompts review at zoo Thursday, February 23, 2006 WALTER BRYANT Birmingham News staff writer The keeper bitten by a lion at the Birmingham Zoo last week continues mending, and the animal is back on exhibit. Melissa Wright, 32, is recovering at home, said Dr. William Foster, zoo director. Wright has a doctor's visit scheduled for early March and will learn then when she can return to work, he said. Wright, reached at her home, referred questions to Foster. Just before 8 a.m. Feb. 15, Wright was bitten by 18-year-old Sheba in an area near the animal's daytime exhibit. Foster said Wright was taken by paramedics to UAB Hospital and was treated for bite puncture wounds to her scalp, right arm and abdomen. She was released the next day. Sheba ranks among the older lions in captivity. "In the wild they live to be 10 years old, and in captivity it is not uncommon to live to 15," he said. "But living to be 20 is rare." Sheba was off exhibit because an antelope had gone on display in an adjacent exhibit, Foster said. Zoo officials wanted to give the antelope time to adjust to its surroundings before Sheba returned to her usual area. Foster said the lioness was put back on display the day after the incident. Animal handling procedures and policies are being studied to see if they need to be changed. Foster said other animals were being fed, and Sheba was expecting to receive her food when Wright was bitten. "I have not gotten Melissa's side of the story," he said. Assistant Zoo Director Jeff Cook was bitten June 10 on the right calf by an 11-foot alligator that was being restrained for a medical examination. Cook was taken to UAB Hospital, where he underwent surgery, and returned to work two months later. E-mail: wbryant@bhamnews.com © 2006 The Birmingham News |
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