Exotic Incident #2344

Incident Date:
03/28/1990
Location:
Cincinnati, OH - USA
Facility Name:
Cincinnati Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Escape/Attack resulting in human injury (HI)
Species:
Bears
Animal:
Polar bear
Animal disposition:
Other

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.

Action take by Born Free USA:

Notes:

http://www.wcpo.com/lifestyle/from-the-vault/from-the-vault-polar-bear-bit-off-cincinnati-zoo-keeper-laurie-stobers-arm