Zookeeper recovering from burns, saved rhino from wildfire

A Florida zookeeper is recovering from burns he received while saving a rhinoceros as a wildfire threatened his animal sanctuary last week

TAMPA, Fla. (AP) — A Florida zookeeper is recovering from burns he received while saving a rhinoceros from a wildfire that threatened his animal sanctuary.

Local media organizations report NGALA Wildlife Preserve President and CEO Donovan Smith remained at Tampa General Hospital on Tuesday after sustaining second-degree burns over 18 percent of his body last week.

The fire began to close in Friday on the wildlife refuge in Naples, southwest Florida, burning about 7,000 acres (2,800 hectares). Smith posted on Facebook that staff members saved all of the more than 40 animals there.

He says he was working with fire rescue crews to save Walter, an 8-year-old rhino, at the time he was burned. But he said in his post Saturday on Facebook that it was worth enduring the pain to protect the animals.

Copyright © 2024 Federal News Network. All rights reserved. This website is not intended for users located within the European Economic Area.

    SEC, fraud cases, Supreme Court Trump Capitol Riot

    The Supreme Court strips the SEC of a critical enforcement tool in fraud cases

    Read more
    Treasury China Investment

    US proposes rules to stop Americans from investing in Chinese technology with military uses

    Read more
    Osprey Crash

    Ospreys face flight restrictions through 2025 due to crashes, military tells Congress

    Read more