Cleaner killed by a hippopotamus at the Lucknow Zoo

At the Wajid Ali Shah Zoological Garden (Lucknow Zoo), a hippopotamus murdered a janitor on Monday during routine cleaning, an official claimed, adding that it’s possible that the animal’s enclosure wasn’t shut securely.

The cleaner was taken to a neighboring hospital and later died there, according to Lucknow Zoo director Aditi Sharma. The animal was promptly imprisoned.

According to officials, after moving the animal to a cage, the cleaner—who had ten years of work experience—and his colleague followed procedure and entered the enclosure. Until the cleaning is completed, the animal is kept confined in its cell.”Three cells for visitors, feeding, and the one where the animal is kept while cleaning is done make up the enclosure of the Hippopotamus [brought to Lucknow from Allen Forest Zoo in Kanpur],” Sharma said.

Every Monday, while the zoo is closed to visitors, cleaning takes place. Trained in feeding and cleaning, the cleaner and the other keeper—who made it out—were skilled at both jobs.

Sharma pledged a thorough investigation to find out what went wrong. A trained staff member was killed by a hippopotamus. Should an error occur, it will be fixed.