Akron Zoo worker injured while breaking up fight between pair of Komodo dragons

Craig Webb, Akron Beacon Journal
Updated ·2 min read
FILE - In this Thursday, April 30, 2009, file photo, a Komodo dragon is seen on Komodo island, Indonesia. An Indonesian national park official says an overly inquisitive tourist from Singapore was bitten on his leg Wednesday morning while taking pictures of a Komodo dragon, the world's largest lizard, while it was eating. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara, File)

A worker at the Akron Zoo is recovering after getting bit while trying to break up an apparent fight between a pair of Komodo dragons.

The zoo said in a short statement that an unidentified worker was bitten by one of the Komodo dragons in an "employee service area" on March 3.

"Our initial investigation establishes that most injuries came as the result of bite wounds inflicted by one of the Komodo dragons," the statement said.

The zoo, citing privacy concerns for the worker, said the employee is at home recovering.

Jasper, the Komodo dragon that was also injured in the fight, the zoo said, is "stable" and also recovering.

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What happened with the Komodo dragons at the Akron Zoo?

The zoo announced Tuesday that an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation found there are "no employer violations of safety standards by the Akron Zoo."

"Safety is, and will remain, the utmost priority for our staff, visitors and animals," the zoo said in a statement.

OSHA spokesman Scott Allen said the zoo was very cooperative with the investigation.

"Two male Komodo Dragons unintentionally entered the same cage and attacked each other," Allen said. "The injured employee instinctively tried to intervene and was injured by the larger male Komodo dragon."

He added the zoo has indicated that "extensive" follow-up training is being planned for affected employees.

Background on Komodo dragons at the Akron Zoo

The zoo acquired Jasper in September after longtime resident Draco died in January 2023.

Jasper was injured in the mishap and is recovering in a private enclosure.

Padar, the larger male that bit the worker, is the zoo's older resident Komodo dragon and is back on display in his enclosure.

Native to Indonesia, Komodo dragons are the largest lizards in the world and can grow up to 10 feet in length and weigh anywhere from 150 to 300 pounds.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron Zoo worker recovering after being bitten by Komodo dragon