Exotic Incident #2344
Reported:
Location:
Cincinnati, OH - USA
Species:
Trap Type:
Incident Date:
28/03/1990
Victim's Disposition:
Victim's Name:
Legal Action:
Result:
Summary:
Laurie Stober, a 25-year-old zookeeper was offering a grape to a caged polar bear when it pushed its teeth through the bars and grabbed her fingers. The bear chewed up her right arm almost to the elbow before biting it off and freeing her.
She survived and received reconstructive surgery, and the incident led to a lawsuit, a trial, and allegations that the zoo ignored danger warnings from Stober and other staff.