Central Zoo Authority Forms Expert Panel On Zoo Safety After Hippopotamus Kills Trainee Veterinarian; Karnataka High Court Closes PIL
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) told the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday [June 24] that it has formed an expert committee to formulate SOPs and related protocols for zoo veterinarians, staff and other animal handlers, following the death of a trainee veterinarian who was mauled by a pregnant hippopotamus at Shivamogga Zoo recently.[2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 215]The Division Bench of Chief...
The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) told the Karnataka High Court on Wednesday [June 24] that it has formed an expert committee to formulate SOPs and related protocols for zoo veterinarians, staff and other animal handlers, following the death of a trainee veterinarian who was mauled by a pregnant hippopotamus at Shivamogga Zoo recently.
[2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 215]
The Division Bench of Chief Justice Vibhu Bakhru and Justice K.S Hemalekha which was hearing a PIL for formulating zoo safety protocols, observed that CZA has been taking sufficient steps to ensure safety in zoos.
“…The counsel (for CZA) has also handed over an office order dated 05.05.2026 setting out the constitution of an expert committee. R2 has already taken steps to formulated protocols and SOP…. Therefore, it is not apposite to issue any directions by the court…Disposed”, the court noted in the order.
The PIL, filed by Bhuvan M who claims to be a wildlife conservationist, emphasised that 17 such fatal incidents have occurred in animal enclosures of the zoos since 2016. The petitioner submitted that newspaper reports annexed to the petition indicate a plethora of such incidents.
The petitioner further alleged that an RTI application filed by him revealed a complete absence of any documented safety protocols for entering the animal enclosure for treatment, feeding or any other necessary reason. The petitioner also sought directions for the formulation of a compensation protocol for families of zoo staff who lost their lives due to such attacks, requesting that the expert committee constituted should consider this aspect as well.
The court, however, noted that many staff and handlers could have entered the enclosure without any safety measures in place, leading to such incidents.
For context, on March 19, 2026, a 27-year-old trainee veterinarian, Dr Sameeksha Reddy, succumbed to death after being attacked by a hippopotamus while she was in its enclosure. Following the tragic incident, questions were raised by the victim's family about the absence of senior officers at the site when the trainee doctor entered the enclosure.
After the accident, the petitioner had preferred a representation before the Central Zoo Authority of Karnataka and other institutions seeking the formulation of a comprehensive SOP for ensuring safety of Zoo staff and veterinarians.
Along with the time bound disposal of the said representation, the plea before the High Court also sought a direction to formulate, notify, and implement comprehensive safety protocols, risk assessment mechanisms etc. for entry of zoo staff, veterinarians, zookeepers, and other personnel who enter animal enclosures.
The details that will be examined by the expert committee, as detailed in the CZA communication include the following:
- Examination of circumstances leading to the Shivamogga incident
- Review of existing protocols of CZA and other relevant authorities concerning veterinary practices, handling of dangerous animals, and safety measures for zoo personnel
- Identification of gaps and deficiencies in SOPs, safety protocols, emergency response systems, and deployment, supervision, and training of veterinary personnel
- Recommendation of comprehensive SOPs for zoo veterinarians and animal handlers, including species-specific handling protocols, high-risk and night-time operations, and emergency response mechanisms
- Suggesting minimum standards for safety infrastructure, equipment, and staffing during veterinary interventions
- Recommending training and capacity-building measures for veterinarians and staff
- Advising on accountability and monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance with prescribed protocols
- Examining best practices (national and international) and suggesting their adaptation in the Indian context
- Submitting a detailed report with SOP and actionable recommendations to CZA
The committee is stated to have a tenure of 60 days.
After taking note of the communication made by CZA, the court disposed of the petition.
Adv. Ashwin Joyston Kutinha appeared for the litigant.
Case Title: Bhuvan M v. Union of India & Ors.
Case No: WP No. 16889/2026
Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Kar) 215