INDIANAPOLIS, July 20 (UPI) -- An Indianapolis Zoo trainer is recovering from being gored by the tusk of a female African elephant.
Zoo officials told the Indianapolis Star that Ivory was reacting to a cry from her 2,000-pound calf when she injured the unidentified trainer Friday.
"She was suffering from anxiety during training," a spokeswoman said. The calf, Ajani, born Aug. 4, 2000, was within his mother's sight when the incident happened.
Ajani let out a bellow when he did not receive a food treat, officials said.
The mother reacted, jabbing her head and goring the trainer in the leg, officials said.
The trainer was rushed to an area hospital where he underwent surgery, the spokeswoman said.
Officials refused to identify the trainer, but said he had 14 years experience with elephants.
Officials said the attack was "a quick sudden reaction" rather than a pattern of behavior for the overprotective mama.
