Tiger attack in the zoo: nurse injured-security questions up!

Tiger attack in the zoo: nurse injured-security questions up!

On Monday, May 12, 2025, a 33-year-old zoo was seriously injured in the Nadermann zoo in Delbrück, North Rhine-Westphalia. The incident occurred when the nurse did not make sure when cleaning the tiger enclosure whether the intermediate gate was properly closed to the interior. As a result, the tiger succeeded in the outdoor enclosure and attacked the nurse by biting her in her shoulder. According to the Paderborn police, the injury is serious, but not life -threatening.

A quick intervention by colleagues enabled the nurse to deter the tiger by shouting and leave the enclosure independently. She was then taken to a nearby clinic. Christoph Nadermann, the head of the zoo, described the bite as the "test bite" of the tiger and explained that people usually do not belong to tigers.

reactions and security measures

The Nadermann zoo was commented on social media and confirmed the nurse's injuries by hand and shoulder. For the time being, the tiger stays in a partial enclosure to recover. Animal park manager Nadermann also emphasized the need for safe working conditions, especially in animal husbandry. Safety measures for enclosures of dangerous animals are recorded in detail in the regulations. According to the DGUV Rule 114-001, enclosure and lock doors must be locked and twice secured to prevent the escape of dangerous animals.

The incidents in Delbrück throw a light on the challenges of animal husbandry in zoos. A similar incident occurred on September 12, 2023 in the Salzburg Zoo, where an zookeeper was also tragically attacked and fatally injured by a rhino. Such surprising aggression of animals underline the often underestimated risks that can exist when working with wild animals.

important security precautions

As from the guidelines for wildlife farming , precautions against unauthorized opening of the enclosures must also be taken. This includes the use of padlocks and the design of doors that prevent the animals from escaping. In addition, special safety precautions are required when caring for dangerous animals that ensure that the zookeepers do not get in direct danger during their activities.

The events in the Nadermann zoo and the incidents in other zoos illustrate the importance of strict security measures and their consistent implementation to ensure both the safety of the zookeepers and the well -being of the animals. In times when critical incidents are repeatedly reported in Zoos, it is essential to check the working conditions and adapt if necessary to increase the safety of everyone involved.

It remains to be seen which specific measures of the Nadermann zoo will implement after this incident to prevent similar attacks in the future.