Bear attacks and kills zoo worker in South Russia

Bear attacks and kills zoo worker in South Russia

2011-01-05 10:09:24 GMT+7 (ICT)

MOSCOW, RUSSIA (BNO NEWS) -- A Russian zoo worker in the country's southern region was mauled to death by a bear while cleaning an enclosure, local media reported Tuesday.

A 55-year-old worker of the Stavropol, Russia zoo was routinely cleaning the bear's enclosure, but forgetting to secure the bear in its cage, he was abruptly attacked and subsequently killed.

"A zoo cage cleaner forgot to lock the bear's cage, and the animal attacked him from behind," Boris Skripka told RIA Novosti. "The bear caught him by the leg and damaged a vital artery. The worker was rescued by other zoo employees, but succumbed to his injuries before the ambulance arrived."

While a zoo spokesman said the future of the bear is uncertain, it is currently still being kept in the zoo's facilities.

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