Zookeeper dies after anteater attack
Pastor Dale Morgan
Zookeeper dies after anteater attack*
From correspondents in Buenos Aires
April 13, 2007 07:19am
Article from: Reuters
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.
The zoo was closed today and not available for comment but a zoo worker
yesterday described the attack as an accident.
Zoo workers told local media they did not see Wednesday's attack on
Casco. Different reports said the anteater was male, or female, and may
have been protecting offspring or was in heat.
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.