Zoos offer visitors the chance to see animals from around the world up close. However, many of these animals can be extremely dangerous, and we’ve heard incidents of zoo-goers climbing into pens, taunting animals, or otherwise putting themselves in dangerous situations with deadly animals. Not too long ago, a man jumped into the tiger enclosure at the Bronx Zoo and sustained severe wounds when the cat pounced.
While visitors bear a responsibility to behave in a safe manner, zoos also have a duty to ensure a safe environment. At Buttafuoco & Associates, our attorneys recognize the importance of holding zoos accountable. If you or a loved one has been injured by an animal at a zoo or elsewhere, call 1-800-NOW-HURT to get a sense of your rights and the legal help you need to recover from your injuries.
The Bronx Zoo Siberian Tiger Incident
In 2012, a 25 year old man, identified as David Villalobos, was riding on the Bronx Zoo‘s monorail when he suddenly climbed over the safety bars and leapt from a height of about 20 feet. He cleared a 16-foot-high perimeter fence and landed in the Wild Asia Exhibit.
An 11-year-old, 400-pound male Siberian Tiger named Bachuta pounced on Villalobos almost immediately. Zoo workers acted quickly, using fire hoses to distract Bachuta and allow Villalobos to escape, rolling under an electric fence. The tiger caused puncture and bite wounds to the man’s arms, legs and back of shoulders. Luckily, according to experts from the Bronx Zoo, the tiger likely didn’t want to kill Villalobos, otherwise his injuries would have certainly been fatal in a matter of seconds.
According to Villalobos himself, he wanted to be “one with the tiger,” and he was later charged with trespassing for his actions. Our zoo accident lawyer serving New York can attest that the Bronx Zoo was not at fault for this incident, and the monorail is still an attraction to this day.
What is the Zoo’s Responsibility?
Many situations involving zoo visitors being attacked by the animals show extreme negligence on the part of the individuals involved. You should never taunt an animal, and should stay out of animal enclosures and act in a responsible manner.
That said, it’s also the zoo’s responsibility to provide a safe environment for its visitors. Our New York zoo accident lawyers note several ways that Zoos can ensure visitor safety:
- Animal Enclosure Design: Animals often are not completely sealed-off, since that would be cruel to those animals. Still, zoos must design and maintain animal enclosures to prevent direct contact between visitors and potentially dangerous animals. This may include the use of barriers such as fences, walls, moats, or glass panels.
- Signage and Warnings: Clear signage and warnings should be displayed throughout the zoo, especially near animal exhibits, to alert visitors of potential hazards and safety guidelines. For example, the Bronx Zoo has rules prohibiting feeding the animals, throwing items into the enclosures, or leaving designated public paths. Also, this principle is not limited to safety related to animals and could also include things like “wet floor” signs to prevent slip and falls.
- Supervision and Staff Training: Zoo staff should be trained to respond quickly to any safety concerns or emergencies. Regular supervision of visitor areas is essential to ensure compliance with safety rules and prevent risky behavior. Luckily, at the Bronx Zoo in 2012, the staff was quick to act and got Villalobos to safety.
- Maintenance and Inspection: Regular maintenance and inspection of zoo facilities, including animal enclosures, walkways, and visitor amenities, are essential to identify and address potential safety hazards promptly. This includes removing any obstacles or tripping hazards.
Do you Need a Personal Injury Attorney?
While there are many incidents of zoo guests behaving irresponsibly, taunting animals and climbing into zoo enclosures, there are just as many cases where the zoo bears responsibility for keeping guests safe.
If you or a loved one has been injured at a zoo, whether by an animal or any other manner, you may benefit from consulting with a New York zoo accident attorney to see if you have a case. Buttafuoco & Associates has the experience and passion to get you the compensation you deserve.
Call 1-800-NOW-HURT to get in touch with our experienced team.
