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The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848-1954) (about)
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Cite: http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1677568
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ADELAIDE ZOO SENSATION.
ATTACK BY POLAR BEAR.
Keeper's Arm Torn Off.
ADELAIDE, Sunday. Samuel May, aged 65 years employed at the Adelaide Zoologi- cal Gardens as a keeper, had a sensational and painful experience this morning At about 7 o clock he was engaged in hosing out the polar bears' house from outside the
enclosure. The attention of the director
(Mr. A. C. Minchin) and others was at- tracted by terrible screams. Mr. Minchin rushed to investigate and found May lying on the cement flooring outside the quarters of the two large white bears with his right arm torn off at the elbow. The un- fortunate man was taken to hospital in the police ambulance.
He subsequently explained that he was hosing when one of the bears, which were in the exercising yards, grabbed the hose and his hand and, pulling him against the iron bars, tore his arm asunder. May has been it the Zoo for 36 years, and was regarded as a capable man with wild ani- mals. He is a widower with a family. His arm above the elbow was badly lace- rated. The other part could not be found. The bathing pool was emptied, but in vain.
It was reported from the hospital to-night that May's condition was serious, and that he was suffering from shock. it is not yet known whether the remaining portion of
the man's arm will have to be amputated.