A tragic incident occurred in Shivamogga, where a young veterinary doctor, Dr. Sameeksha Reddy, lost her life after a hippopotamus attack. She had recently joined the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari and was still undergoing training.
On Thursday night, she went to the zoo hospital to treat a bird. Later, around 11:45 PM, she entered the enclosure of a pregnant hippopotamus to check its body temperature using a thermal camera.
During the process, the animal suddenly turned aggressive and attacked her. She suffered severe internal injuries and heavy bleeding. The situation became critical within minutes.
She was immediately rushed to a hospital. Doctors performed emergency surgery to save her life. However, her condition remained critical despite their efforts.
Sadly, she passed away the next morning at around 6:30 AM due to her injuries. The incident has shocked many and raised concerns over safety protocols.
Handling wild animals at night is considered highly risky. This incident has brought attention to possible lapses in safety procedures at the facility.
The Karnataka government has ordered an inquiry into the matter. Authorities have also directed all zoos to strictly follow safety guidelines to prevent such incidents in the future.
Tragedy at Shivamogga Zoo: Veterinarian Killed in Hippopotamus Attack
Shivamogga
A 27 year old veterinary officer lost her life early Friday morning following a rare and tragic encounter with a #hippopotamus at the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari in #Shivamogga.
The… pic.twitter.com/dJ2qyCAia7
— Yasir Mushtaq (@path2shah) March 20, 2026
