Zookeeper on ventilator after elephant attack, officials at hospital say

Louie, a 7-year-old African elephant at the Toledo Zoo, became startled and injured a zookeeper last week. Enlarge

As legal debate continued Tuesday over the release of a video showing an elephant knocking down a Toledo Zoo keeper, hospital officials said for the first time that the animal keeper suffered life-threatening injuries and is on a ventilator.

Donald RedFox, 53, of Swanton Township was injured Thursday by 7-year-old African elephant Louie in the animal's enclosure at the zoo and remained in critical condition Tuesday at the University of Toledo Medical Center, the former Medical College of Ohio.

Dr. Kris Brickman, medical director of the hospital's emergency department, said Mr. RedFox suffered multiple rib fractures in the attack and punctures to both his lungs. He is now attached to a ventilator and is under sedation. Dr. Brickman said Mr. RedFox is unconscious but emphasized that he is not in a coma.

Dr. Brickman said Mr. RedFox's condition is improving slowly, but predicted Mr. RedFox could be in the hospital for many weeks. He said complications are possible.

"His injuries are substantial. It's going to be a long road," Dr. Brickman said. "He is clearly not out of the woods."

The incident was recorded on video, which the zoo had planned to release until receiving a letter on Saturday from Mr. RedFox's attorney claiming the animal keeper's privacy would be "irreparably harmed" if the video were released.

Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Linda Jennings Tuesday granted the attorney's request for a temporary restraining order and set a July 20 date for a hearing on a permanent injunction.

Attorney Scott Ciolek filed a notice of appearance on behalf of The Blade Tuesday to inform the court that the newspaper hopes to intervene in the case. Mr. Ciolek said he will file such a motion Wednesday as well as one asking the judge to reconsider her decision.

"In this case, we're talking about an audio/video recording of zoo employees acting within the scope of their employment," Mr. Ciolek said. "What we have to do is lay out the law and demonstrate to the judge that facts that would make it a privacy issue are not present here."

According to the motion filed on behalf of the elephant manager and his wife, Wanda, the surveillance video "graphically" depicts the injuries sustained by the employee.

The motion further stated that because the zoo relies on private and public donations, the organization may be "persuaded to release the security tape and related documents as a public record."

"The specifics of Mr. RedFox's injuries and his current medical condition have not been made public," the motion said. "Plaintiffs have an uncompromising right and interest in the protection of Mr. RedFox's privacy with regard to his injuries and medical condition."

Zoo officials said late last week that Mr. RedFox violated zoo protocol when he entered the animal's enclosure alone. He was knocked to the ground by the elephant after he approached the animal with carrots while its back was turned.

Zoo protocol specifies that keepers should always enter an animal's enclosure with another staff member. Officials said the video footage shows that Louie appeared to have been startled, but it's not clear why he knocked down Mr. RedFox, who has worked with the animal since its birth.

Mr. RedFox's attorney, Christopher Parker, could not be reached for comment Tuesday.

Judge Jennings reviewed the video before issuing her order. Zoo attorneys did not oppose the imposition of the temporary restraining order.

Although Judge Jennings' order prevents the zoo from acting on any public information requests regarding the video, zoo attorneys in a letter dated July 5 had already denied a request by The Blade, citing specific case law regarding personnel records.

Zoo attorney Timothy McCarthy could not be reached.

Mr. Ciolek said both parties will be able to weigh in on whether The Blade is able to join the case. He added that Judge Jennings would ultimately decide whether the newspaper is an appropriate party in the case.

Anne Baker, the zoo's executive director, said Tuesday that RedFox family members have not wanted to see the video themselves. She said zoo officials have described the video to them.

The 4,000-pound elephant apparently struck Mr. RedFox with its tusk when he entered the animal's quarters around 3:45 p.m. Thursday, officials said.

Mr. RedFox was taken to the hospital by ambulance, where he was deemed to need priority emergency attention, Dr. Brickman said.

Mr. RedFox's family remains worried but optimistic, Dr. Brickman said Tuesday. "They're managing things as well as can be expected."

Contact Erica Blake at:

eblake@theblade.com

or 419-213-2134.