Zoo owner hospitalized, expected to make full recovery after camel bite
UPDATE: A man who was flown to a St. Cloud Hospital after being bit by a camel at the Hemker Park and Zoo is expected to make a full recovery, according to zoo officials.
The man was bit by a camel around 3 p.m. Wednesday at the zoo, which is located outside of Freeport.
The Stearns County Sheriff’s Office says a man was getting the camel ready to be taken to another facility when the animal bit the man on his head and dragged him for about 15 feet.
Although he was flown to the St. Cloud hospital, the zoo posted on Facebook the man – identified as the zoo’s owner – had non-life threatening injuries, and he is expected to make a full recovery.
A second worker was able to get the animal to release its bite, but then the camel bit that worker as well. However, the worker was able to get away and refused medical treatment.
Meanwhile, the zoo said Wednesday the camel wasn’t injured, and is in good health.
INITIAL REPORT: A Hemker Park and Zoo employee was taken to the hospital by helicopter after a camel bit down on his head and dragged him about fifteen feet, according to the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies said they received a report of an animal bite at Hemker Park and Zoo, just a few miles outside of Freeport, just before 3 p.m. on Wednesday.
The victim, a 32-year-old zoo employee, was escorting the camel through an alleyway to transport it to another facility. The camel then bit down on the man’s head dragged him for about fifteen feet, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.
A second employee then intervened by placing a plastic walking board into the camel’s mouth to release the other employee from its bite. The first employee then ran to a safe location, but the camel then charged the second employee and bit him in the head. That employee was able to get away safely and refused medical treatment.
The extent of the injuries sustained by the first man is unknown at this time. Life Link Helicopter took him to the St. Cloud Hospital following the incident.
Stearns County deputies say the zoo is still open to the public and the incident remains under investigation.