27-Year-Old Veterinarian Killed In Hippo Attack During Medical Exam At Shivamogga Safari

Last Updated:March 20, 2026, 11:23 IST

Dr Samiksha Reddy suffered severe abdomen trauma and significant blood loss when the pregnant hippopotamus charged and lunged at her during the exam

A routine medical check-up at the Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari in Shivamogga turned into a horrific tragedy late Thursday night when a 27-year-old veterinarian was killed in a sudden hippopotamus attack.

The incident occurred around 11:30pm when Dr Samiksha Reddy was performing a thermal scanning procedure to monitor the body temperature of a pregnant hippo. According to reports from the facility, the animal unexpectedly charged and lunged at her immediately after the scanning process was completed, inflicting catastrophic injuries.

Samiksha was rushed to a private hospital in Shivamogga in a critical condition, but despite the best efforts of the medical team, she succumbed to her injuries on Friday morning. Medical officials confirmed that the young veterinarian suffered severe internal trauma to her abdomen and significant blood loss, which ultimately led to her passing.

The hippo involved in the attack had been relocated to the Shivamogga safari from the Mysuru Zoo approximately four years ago and was under close observation due to its pregnancy.

A resident of Sakalavara near Bengaluru’s Bannerghatta, Samiksha was the only daughter of businessman Dhruva Kumar and Shailaja. She was a dedicated professional who had completed her veterinary degrees in both Bengaluru and Shivamogga before being selected for specialized wildlife training this past February.

Having been stationed at the safari for about six weeks, her sudden death has left her family and the local medical community in deep shock. Her grieving parents have arrived in Shivamogga to claim her remains as authorities look into the safety protocols following the tragic encounter.

Following the tragic death, the Forest Department has issued a high-level mandate enforcing strict adherence to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for all zoo veterinarians during wildlife treatments.

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has ordered the formation of a specialised task force, comprising forest officials and senior veterinarians, to investigate the circumstances of the fatal hippopotamus attack at the Tyavarekoppa Zoo.

The committee is expected to submit a comprehensive report within seven days to identify any lapses in safety protocols that occurred during the late-night medical examination.

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