Topeka Zoo: Keeper did not lock door before being attacked by tiger

A Topeka zookeeper did not lock the door that would have prevented one of the zoo’s tiger from entering the outdoor enclosure prior to the attack that left the keeper critically injured, according to a newly released incident report.

The report lays out in detail what happened in the moments leading up to the attack as well as how staff members responded and what could have been done to prevent it. It did not name the staff member responsible for locking the door, but the city previously identified her as Hayden-Ortega.

Relying on an account by one of the zoo’s trained volunteers, as Hayden-Ortega was cleaning the southern enclosure, the tiger, Sanjiv, was able to move freely between the indoor and northern outdoor areas through an unlocked door.

Around 9:30 a.m. on April 20, Hayden-Ortega went through the north side of the habitat and into an outdoor area and Sanjiv went in through the unlocked door soon afterwards, the report continued. Hayden-Ortega was only a few steps inside the habitat when she spotted the big cat. She tried to make it back to the access gate, but was caught from behind and pulled to the ground. Sanjiv then started biting and clawing her on the head, neck, back, and arms.

Seeing the tiger in the enclosure, the volunteer raced to find help, the report stated. Seeing a staff member at the hippo pool, she started shouting “There is a tiger out! There is a tiger out!” Meanwhile, one of the guests that had been with her called 911. That 911 call established the timeline for what the report says happened next. It indicates the attack was over and the Sanjiv contained within four minutes.

Alerted to the situation, the staff member told a keeper who rushed to the tiger exhibit. A second keeper arrived soon thereafter and, after they assessed the situation, a “Keeper Down” alert was sent over the zoo’s radio system. At that point, a member of the zoo’s firearms team went to retrieve a rifle and start toward the scene.

The second keeper grabbed some meat, unlocked the tiger’s door to the enclosure, and began trying to lure Sanjiv inside. When he didn’t respond the first keeper grabbed some meat too and they began attempting to lure Sanjiv away from Hayden-Ortega. A third keeper arrived and was heading out to help when the tiger finally returned to the indoor enclosure. An “All Clear” was sent soon afterwards.

Noting a violation of protocol, the report stated:

It went on to outline changes immediately after the attack and currently being considered, the main focus being ensuring more than one person verifies doors are locked before entering areas where potentially dangerous animals could be.

Zoo Director Brendan Wiley say's Hayden - Ortega has not indicated that she is ready to return to work, but he believes she will return.

As for other investigations, the report says the USDA found there were no animal welfare issues. The Kansas Department of Labor determined the zoo did not need to make any additional changes. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums is focused on prevention and could make follow-up recommendations.