A trainee veterinarian was mauled to death by a pregnant hippopotamus after she entered its enclosure for a medical checkup at a zoo in the southern Indian state of Karnataka.
Sameeksha Reddy, 27, who had recently been appointed as a veterinary officer and was still undergoing training, entered the hippo enclosure at Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion Safari in Shivamogga at around 11.45pm on Thursday to monitor the condition of the pregnant animal using a thermal camera.
Reddy fell from a ladder while inside the enclosure and was trampled by the eight-month pregnant animal.
Karnataka state authorities ordered a high-level investigation into the death after her family raised questions about why she was allowed inside the enclosure alone and late at night.
Forest and environment minister, Eshwar Khandre, said the Karnataka government will dedicate a memorial to Reddy, after her family declined the state government's Rs3m (£24,000) in relief.
"Sameeksha went to the hippopotamus enclosure around 11.45pm on Thursday to monitor the condition of the pregnant animal using a thermal camera. The animal, which was expected to deliver within a few days, had reportedly not been eating," said safari executive director and deputy conservator of forests, Amaresh, who goes by one name.
But Reddy fell from a ladder and "the hippopotamus became aggressive and attacked her inside the enclosure", he said, according to the Hindustan Times newspaper. "The situation escalated within seconds, leaving very little time for reaction," he added. He said she sustained several injuries and lost a significant amount of blood in the attack.
Speaking in the Karnataka Assembly, Mr Khandre said Reddy's family had great concern for animals and "suggested that the relief be used in her memory instead".
Mr Khandre said she had gone to check on the pregnant hippo on her own accord.
"The investigation, however, is continuing. If there was any dereliction of duty, we would take action," Mr Khandre said.
Dr Murali Manohar, veterinary officer of the zoo, said “she was not assigned to monitor health of hippopotamus”.
Tributes have poured in for the trainee vet online, with many condoling her death.
Sowmya Reddy, a local politician and general secretary of All India Mahila Congress, said: “My heartfelt condolences to her family, friends, and colleagues during this extremely difficult time. May her soul rest in peace, and may her loved ones find strength to bear this irreparable loss.”
