Child Injured During Hands-On Experience With Rhinos At FL Zoo

MELBOURNE, FL — A child was injured after entering the rhinocerous yard at Brevard Zoo in Florida on New Year's Day, zoo officials said.

The Brevard Zoo said in a statement that the child was injured during a hands-on educational experience with the zoo's white rhinoceroses.

According to the zoo, the family was taken to a local hospital by ambulance and the child's condition is unknown. However, a statement released by the child's father through Arnold Palmer Children's Hospital said that his daughter is "doing well."

The statement provided to WFTV said that his wife was also treated for her injury but has recovered.

The zoo explained that during the encounter, participants and rhinos are separated by a series of steel poles.

Citing witnesses, the zoo said the child "stumbled and fell" in between two of the poles and the snout of at least one rhino made contact with the child.

“Our number one concern is the safety and welfare of our guests and our hearts go out to
the family,” Keith Winsten, the Zoo’s executive director, said in a statement. “Safety has always been of paramount importance to us and we are suspending these encounters until we have
thoroughly reviewed our processes and procedures to ensure this cannot happen again.”

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