Zoo Employee Hospitalized After Possible Exposure to Powerful Opioid During Antelope Procedure

Summary:

MIAMI, FL – A routine procedure to prepare an antelope for transfer to another facility took an unexpected turn when a Zoo Miami employee began experiencing symptoms of illness, prompting the zoo to administer Narcan and rush the staff member to a nearby hospital.

The incident happened while the employee was helping secure a greater kudu antelope’s head after the animal had been immobilized so a veterinarian could perform tests ahead of their transfer. The drugs used to immobilize the animal included thiafentanil, a potent opioid. While the zoo has not confirmed what caused the employee’s symptoms, officials said they were concerned the worker may have accidentally come into contact with the drug through the animal’s saliva.

As a precaution, the employee was given Narcan, a medication used to reverse the effects of an opioid exposure, before being taken to Jackson South Medical Center for further evaluation. The staff member was stable and remained under medical observation, according to the zoo.

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