Community Corner

Panda Bites San Diego Zookeeper

The worker was bitten on Sunday while the park was closed, a spokeswoman said.

A panda bit a zookeeper after hours Sunday when the panda pushed open a door in a back area of the exhibit and approached the worker, a San Diego Zoo spokeswoman said Tuesday.

Bai Yun bit the worker on Sunday while the park was closed, spokeswoman Christina Simmons said. Simmons, for privacy reasons, declined to identify the employee or comment on his or her condition.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the bite "is listed as an 'attack' by Cal/OSHA in which the keeper was clawed and bitten and 'severely' injured." Cal/OSHA, a state agency, oversees worker safety issues.

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The zookeeper was reportedly taken to the hospital for treatment.

"It is something to remember—giant pandas appear very cuddly, but they are wild bears and it is important to remember that at all times," Simmons said.

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Zoo policy requires employees to stay out of areas with adult bears or other large carnivorous predators unless the animals are sedated, Simmons said.

This was the first such incident involving a panda, she said.

City News Service contributed to this report.


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