Zookeepers were left fearing for their lives after a bear escaped from its enclosure and attacked its keeper, before terrified staff had to shoot it dead.
The attempted getaway happened on Wednesday at a behind-the-scenes area at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in Jacksonville, Florida.
Zoo officials said that the grizzly animal then went on to attack a zookeeper, before it was killed.
According to Kelly Rouillard, director of marketing for the Zoo and Gardens, there was “an engagement” between the staff member and the bear, adding that she believe the zoo does not have a video of the incident.
Rouillard said that the North American black bear, named Johnny, escaped an exhibit behind the scenes just after 5pm on Wednesday.
Writing on social media about the incident, zoological staff said than an emergency call was initiated following the escape, and the facility's "lethal weapons team responded immediately."
The statement on Facebook continued: "Our highest priority is always the safety of human lives, therefore, the bear was shot and killed.
"We will be conducting an ongoing investigation over the coming days and weeks. We do not take this lightly. It is profoundly painful when we have a loss of an animal, especially under circumstances such as this."
FirstCoast News reported that Jacksonville Fire and Rescue crews took the zookeeper who was attacked to a hospital for treatment, with injuries that were not considered life-threatening.
The incident will be investigated by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Captive Wildlife Office.
No additional details were immediately available.
