Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium Employee Bitten by a Komodo Dragon

Komodo Dragon. Credit: Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

An employee of the Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium in Nebraska was taken to the Nebraska Medical Center after being bitten by a 10-pound Komodo dragon on May 31. She received two stitches on her hand, the Omaha World-Herald reports.

The zoo has released a statement:

At approximately 12:30 p.m. today, May 31, a female keeper was bitten by a juvenile komodo dragon. The keeper was performing routine animal care. The komodo dragon is a female and is about four feet long. It weighs approximately 10 pounds.

Keepers at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium perform drills to prepare for events like this throughout the year. Zoo staff acted quickly and the keeper received medical attention immediately from a nurse stationed at the Zoo.

The keeper was transported to a local hospital where she received medical care for an animal bite and was released. A complete recovery is expected.

Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has one adult male on display in the Cat Complex and two juveniles in the Desert Dome Sun Room.

The komodo dragon involved in the bite incident today was a female juvenile, pictured here. She is two-and-a-half years old, three-and-a-half feet long and weighs 10 pounds.

Komodo dragons do have a modified protein that acts like a weak venom but has minimal effects. The greater concern with komodo dragon bites is bacterial infection.

Some members of the public have asked if the animal will be put down. She will not and will remain in her enclosure as usual.