COLUMBUS— At approximately 12:10 p.m. today, an adult male guest at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium fell from the top of a 42-inch protective handrail he climbed near the Heart of Africa’s Watering Hole and landed behind a safety barrier that separated any contact with animals.
Zoo EMS immediately responded, and the guest was transported to a local hospital, conscious and alert.
The Watering Hole serves as an area where Cheetah Run presentations are held, and other animals graze and gather throughout the day.
Initially, during the noon Cheetah Run introduction, a member of the Wild Encounters team noticed a teenage guest in a nearby tree located behind a protective barrier in the center area of the boardwalk, and the team member made a safety announcement for the teenage guest to get out of the tree.
Following that, several guests and staff in the area witnessed the adult guest climb to the top of the 42-inch-high handrail and fall approximately 12-15 feet. The guest was conscious when safety teams arrived to help him. Again, the location where the guest fell was outside a space shared with animals.
Adrienne, a female 3.5-year-old cheetah, was with her trainer in the Watering Hole when the incident occurred. Adrienne took notice of the guest, who was calling for help. However, Adrienne, who shares a strong bond with her care team, stayed with her trainer and was immediately secured behind the scenes. This allowed Zoo staff and responding EMS teams access to assist the guest.
Our primary concern at this time is for the guest’s well-being. All areas of the Zoo are now open.