Zoo worker's death sparks safety debate

Zone closed

On Friday, Shanghai Wild Animal Park said it was cooperating with the investigation into the accident and would take the initiative in coping with the aftermath of the incident.

The venue said it deeply regretted the keeper's death and apologized to visitors who witnessed the incident.

The wild animal zone was closed immediately after the attack and the park has not said when it will reopen.

Local media reports said the keeper saw a digger operator working at a temporary construction site in the zone leave the vehicle after it broke down.

After the keeper entered the zone to persuade the operator to return to the vehicle, the bears attacked.

Experts said wild animals may experience tension and become frightened in a noisy environment and, as a result, attack humans or other animals. Such attacks are usually unpredictable.

Netizens said that although there was a degree of individual blame for the incident, the zoo should also assume responsibility for the tragedy.

They said that as it is fully aware of the potential threat posed by wild animals, the park should equip its workers with proactive gear, such as chili sprays and anesthesia guns, to cope with cases of emergency.

An Xiang, director of Beijing Dexiang Law Firm, said that in signing the contract with the construction company, the park was obligated to prevent potential injury to workers from animal attacks, as it had a close understanding of the working environment and the animals' habits.

According to An, who is also deputy director of the Beijing Lawyers Association Civil Law Professional Committee, the main aim of safeguarding against danger is always to prevent it and not wait until something happens and then take action.

He added that emergency responses should always be in place "in the event of front-end measures not working".

Such measures should be based on zoology and species as well as the animals' habits and characteristics, he said.