Zookeeper dies after anteater attack

The Australian ^ | April 13, 2007

[Dundee]

A YOUNG Argentine zookeeper who worked on a giant anteater conservation project died today after she was attacked by an anteater who mauled her abdomen and legs with its sharp front claws.

"Her injuries were very serious and when she was admitted she was already in critical condition," Jose Potito, director of the hospital, said.

Mr Potito said Melisa Casco, 19, died after an operation to amputate one of her legs.

Casco worked at the Florencio Varela zoo outside Buenos Aires as part of a conservation and reproduction project involving endangered giant anteaters.

...

Anteaters, which can measure up to 2.8 metres long and weigh as much as 50kg, are native to Latin America and have toothless snouts.

They are usually not aggressive but their long, knife-like claws can do serious damage to predators when they defend themselves.

[r9etb]

I'm not sure if anyone has been killed by a wombat but I wouldn't be surprised if a wombat has taken somebody out at some stage.

The Wombats at the San Diego zoo had THE worst-smelling enclosure I'd ever experienced. I think suffocation would be a likely cause of a Wombat-related death.

[theFIRMbss]

>Some real odd animal attacks lately

Well, the safest pet
is also the easiest
to co-exist with:

[Caravaggio]

You means that’s a REAL pic? I thought it’d been photoshopped. Now that IS gross. Good to hear they managed to reattach it though.

[mware]

Yes that is a real photo. I saw it this morning on Fox & FRiends and they questioned if it was photoshopped to. Nope, it is his arm.

[mware]

Ah sea monkeys,,, My sister had sea monkeys in a glass, and my little brother thought it was a glass of orange soda, and drank it.

[cgbg]

I learn something new every day on FR. I guess I won't ever try to pet a Koala. :-)

[Jeff Chandler]

Headline of the Day

[theFIRMbss]

>I guess I won't ever try to pet a Koala

I always vow that but then the very next time a cute Koala is within arm's reach waiting all warm and fuzzy I go and pet it . . .

[Rockpile]

These animal attack stories pop up pretty regularly from around the world and what really strikes me is how most of the vcitims are women. And so many of them are "professionals" and not just some random tourist.

Maybe these gals are not as wary around animals as men might be.