Irish Medical Journal Reveals The Horrifying Extent Of Injuries Sustained By Toddler Attacked At Dublin Zoo Last Year

WARNING: This article contains graphic and upsetting images. The Irish Medical Journal (IMJ) has published images of the severe injuries inflicted onto a toddler by a Brazilian tapir at Dublin Zoo last year. A two-and-a-half-year-old was attacked August 2013 by the female tapir that had recently calved during a behind-the-scenes tour at the animal’s enclosure. IMJ reports that was “bitten, held to the ground and shaken”. “Her mother intervened and sustained two bite injuries while attempting to rescue the child. No loss of consciousness was reported”. The tot received a deep laceration to her left forearm, multiple stomach lacerations and a cut to her forehead. The injuries inflicted upon the toddler. (Image via The Mirror). According to the Irish Mirror, IMJ detailed that the toddler’s abdomen had an 11cm injury and a perforation of the small intestine. The young girl was treated for her injuries at Dublin’s Temple Street Hospital. Despite being regarded as a high risk of infections by medical professionals, the girl had no complications and has no long-term illness. Last month, the Dublin District Court ordered Dublin Zoo to pay out a sum of €5,000 to two children’s charities following a guilty plea after failing to implement a risk assessment to the tapir habitat. Visitor and animal contact at Dublin Zoo ceased almost immediately after the incident. The herbivorous mammal is the same size of a large pig with attacks on humans noted as rare.