Stephen Schultz | January 19, 2024 | Premises Liability

Injuries and Accidents at the Saint Louis Zoo

The Saint Louis Zoo is a fun place for kids and grown-ups alike. We all enjoy watching the amazing animals and visiting the various attractions. But sometimes, accidents and injuries can happen when you least expect them.

If you go to the zoo and something goes wrong, it’s good to know what to do. This article will help you understand more about these situations at the Saint Louis Zoo and what steps to take if you or someone with you gets hurt.

Examples of Accidents at the Saint Louis Zoo

Going to the zoo is usually safe, but sometimes accidents happen. 

Here are some real accidents that have happened at the Saint Louis Zoo:

  • A tragic accident happened in 1970. Two zoo trains crashed into each other, and sadly, ten people died.
  • In 1998, the zoo train came off the tracks and flipped over. The driver, John W. Forsythe, died because of this.
  • In April 2016, a train in the zoo bumped into another train. This scared the people on the train, and the engineer was sent to the hospital.
  • There was a scary moment in February 2017 when an Andean Bear escaped its enclosure at the zoo. Luckily, no one got hurt.

These stories remind us that accidents can happen anywhere, even at the zoo. To stay safe, it’s crucial to be careful and follow all the rules at the zoo. And if you see something dangerous, it’s good to tell a zoo worker right away.

Common Causes of Injuries and Accidents at the Saint Louis Zoo

Just like at amusement parks, accidents at the zoo can happen for different reasons. 

Some common causes of injuries at places like the Saint Louis Zoo include:

  • Slipping, tripping, or falling on the paths
  • Getting hurt by parts of an exhibit or display
  • Animal escapes or incidents
  • Equipment problems, like a broken fence or barrier
  • Problems when getting on or off the zoo train or other rides
  • Not fixing or checking the zoo areas and equipment
  • Parts of the zoo that are broken or not working right
  • Zoo workers who don’t know enough or make mistakes
  • Not checking the zoo grounds properly
  • Places in the zoo that are too dark or hard to see in
  • Not following safety rules and steps to keep everyone safe

When someone gets hurt at the zoo, different people might be responsible. This can include the zoo’s owners, the people caring for the animals, manufacturers of defective equipment, and others.

Zoo Safety: What Owners and Visitors Should Do

Zoo owners must ensure that the zoo is safe for kids and all visitors. They should:

  • Have security guards.
  • Keep walkways clean and clear of things you could trip on.
  • Look after the zoo grounds and equipment.
  • Make sure there are strong barriers between animals and people.

Parents visiting the zoo with their kids can also do things to stay safe:

  • Put your phone away and always supervise your children.
  • Always keep a close eye on your children. If there are more kids, bring more adults to help watch.
  • Don’t let kids go off by themselves.
  • Teach kids about wild animals and how to act around them.
  • Tell kids not to tease the animals, even if there’s a barrier.
  • Don’t take selfies or pictures that make you lean close to the animals.
  • Follow all the zoo’s rules.
  • If you see something unsafe, tell a zoo employee.
  • Try going when it’s not too crowded to avoid accidents.

You should be safe at the zoo. If the zoo didn’t do its job to keep you safe and you got hurt, you might be able to seek compensation for your injuries.

If you get hurt at the zoo, various legal theories could apply to your personal injury case. 

These include:

  • Negligence: This is when the zoo doesn’t take good enough care to keep visitors safe. If the zoo or its workers were careless, and that’s why you got hurt, this could be the basis of a negligence claim.
  • Premises Liability: The zoo must keep its property reasonably safe. If you got hurt because of a hazard on the property, like a broken fence or a slippery path, you may have a valid premises liability claim.
  • Strict Liability in Animal Cases: Sometimes, zoos might be responsible for injuries caused by animals, even if the zoo did everything right to care for them.

Remember, every situation is different, and the law can be complicated. If you get hurt at the Saint Louis Zoo, it’s essential to talk to an experienced St. Louis personal injury lawyer. They can examine what happened and advise you of your rights.

Contact Our Premises Liability Law Firm in St. Louis, MO

If you’ve been injured, please contact a premises liability lawyer at Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers at the nearest location to schedule a free consultation today:

St. Louis, MO Law Office
1430 Washington Ave Ste 225, St. Louis, MO 63103
(314) 444-4444

Ladue, MO Law Office
9807 S 40 Dr, St. Louis, MO 63124

Creve Coeur, MO Law Office 
999 Executive Pkwy Dr #205, Creve Coeur, MO 63141

Columbia, MO Law Office
28 N 8th St # 502, Columbia, MO 65201