(CN - HK) Animal Mishaps at Ocean Park

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South China Morning Post

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Animal mishaps raise concerns about Ocean Park management

by Daniel Sin

Jan 02, 2009

 

 

Ocean Park should investigate whether there were any underlying management

or operational problems behind the two attacks on staff by animals and the

death of a prized fish in little more than a month, board members said.

Professor Jim Chi-yung said he hoped the board would convene a meeting soon

to review the matter.

 

Fellow board member Greg Wong Chak-yan said he was particularly concerned

about the safety of visitors.

 

They were speaking after yesterday's incident in which a trainer was nipped

by an eight-year-old sea lion at the park's Pacific Pier attraction.

 

The incident followed an attack by giant panda An An on a trainer a little

more than a month ago and the death of a 10-year-old Chinese sturgeon, a

gift from Beijing, on December 3.

 

Another sturgeon died in June last year after being bitten by a fish.

 

" It seems rather extraordinary that two attacks of Ocean Park animals on

staff and the deaths of two Chinese sturgeon happened within a short period

of time, " Professor Jim said.

 

" There is a need for management to probe in depth into the incidents so as

to allow board members to understand the matters and issues involved, " he

said, adding he did not have enough information to comment on whether the

latest animal incident reflected any underlying problems with park

management.

 

Dr Wong said: " We certainly do not wish to see staff getting hurt by

animals. It must be accepted, however, that their job is by nature hazardous

as animals' behaviour is unpredictable. At least it appears the injury the

staff member sustained was not serious and no visitors were hurt. "

 

He said the park had to ensure there was a " reasonably safe distance "

between animals and visitors to avoid possible injuries.

 

" At the next board meeting, I will ask the park's management to provide

information on whether staff have received sufficient instructions and

guidelines in handling the animals and whether they have received sufficient

training and have reached a reasonable standard in their work. But an

emergency meeting is not warranted, " he said.

 

The death of the first sturgeon was the first such major loss since 1999,

when a false killer whale, Barney, died from a bacterial lung disease, which

followed the death of Hoi Wai, another killer whale, in April 1997.