A Zookeeper's Scary Halloween Stories: Escapes & other Close Calls

[findi]

retired from a career spent at several zoos, aquariums, and museums, including over20 years with the Bronx Zoo[FONT=&quot] [/FONT]
Each Halloween, I think back to the close calls I’ve had during a lifetime of work in zoos and the field. I suppose some, such as narrow escapes from a Kodiak Bear and an enraged King Cobra, would qualify as “near death experiences.” Others, i.e. wrestling huge Green Anacondas from Venezuelan swamps and mixing it up with a giant, wild-caught Reticulated Python, were dangerous but manageable, and have provided me with ample fodder for “war stories”. I’ll summarize a few of these today. I’d also like to highlight Windscorpions, Hellbenders and other creatures that appear to be dangerous but do not actually deserve their fearsome reputations. [FONT=&quot]R[/FONT]ead the rest of this article here Arachnids and Herps: A Zookeeper?s Scary Halloween Stories [FONT=&quot][/FONT]
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My Bio, with photos of animals I’ve been lucky enough to work with: That Pet Place Welcomes Frank Indiviglio | That Reptile Blog

Best Regards, Frank

 

[RavensGryf]

I had to laugh at parts of the article, but not about you in with the bear! I cannot imagine how terrifying it was. Good thing you didn't slip and fall from running! .
What an interesting (though dangerous) career. It was just meant to be Frank, that you were able to retire with all of your limbs in tact. as I'm sure even with vast experience in handling, accidents still do happen to professionals who work with wild animals. Unfortunately like Steve Irwin.

 

[findi]

I had to laugh at parts of the article, but not about you in with the bear! I cannot imagine how terrifying it was. Good thing you didn't slip and fall from running! .
What an interesting (though dangerous) career. It was just meant to be Frank, that you were able to retire with all of your limbs in tact. as I'm sure even with vast experience in handling, accidents still do happen to professionals who work with wild animals. Unfortunately like Steve Irwin.

Thanks....yes, accidents are always a possibility, human error, carelessness etc, always a factor also. I do have some tragic stories as well, as does everyone in similar fields. There's so much foolishness on TV etc today...most are exaggerating the dangers, some are downright ridiculous (the fool who leaps off riverbanks to "subdue" 10 pound snapping turtles, for example!). Steve Irwin was different..he took chance but managed them well, and reached millions with a positive message; what happened to him was tragic, and as close to unforeseeable as possible where animals are concerned. Thanks again, Frank

 

[Dinosrawr]

Haha! I definitely loved those - you make an excellent story teller. These would be great to hear around a campfire with some s'mores, especially on a dark night Thanks for the share!

 

[Kiwibird]

Thanks for sharing! Sound like you've had an interesting career as a zookeeper