A Zoo Miami employee was hospitalized Friday morning after becoming ill during a routine procedure on a greater kudu antelope, zoo officials said in a statement posted on the zoo’s Instagram account.
The antelope was being readied for transfer to another facility. The employee was helping hold the animal’s head in place after it had been immobilized so a veterinarian could run tests required for a pre-shipment examination. The immobilization drugs included thiafentanil.
Officials have not determined what made the employee sick. They said they were concerned about possible accidental exposure to the drug through contact with the antelope’s saliva. As a precaution, the employee was given Narcan and taken to Jackson South Medical Center for evaluation and monitoring.
Zoo officials said the employee is in stable condition and remains under medical observation. They have not confirmed whether the worker was exposed to thiafentanil or whether the drug caused the symptoms.
Zoo Miami said it is monitoring the situation and will release more information when appropriate.
