UPDATE of March 19: The Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted an investigation beginning on March 4, 2024 and has now determined that there were no employer violations of safety standards by the Akron Zoo.
On March 3, 2024, an incident occurred in the Komodo Kingdom employee service area that resulted in a staff member being injured. Our initial investigation establishes that most injuries came as the result of bite wounds inflicted by one of the Komodo dragons.
Our chief concern is for our valued team member, who is currently recovering at home. We will update as more information is available, consistent with privacy requirements and Federal law. We also want to honor our employee’s privacy, so we are providing no other details at this time.
A Komodo dragon not involved in the staff member’s injuries was also injured, and is stable and recovering.
The zoo is reviewing how this event occurred and we are working with OSHA. Safety is, and will remain, the utmost priority for our staff, visitors and animals.