Trainee veterinary officer dies in hippopotamus attack in Tyavarekoppa Safari in Shivamogga

Trainee veterinary officer dies from hippopotamus attack at Shivamogga safari during health check, prompting investigation into safety protocols.

A 27-year-old veterinary officer under training died after she suffered serious injuries following an attack by a hippopotamus at Tyavarekoppa Lion and Tiger Safari in Shivamogga.

Dr. Sameeksha Reddy, a native of Bengaluru, had been recently recruited as a trainee veterinary officer at the safari. She had been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring the health condition of two ailing sun conure birds. She was at the veterinary hospital around 10.30 p.m. on Thursday (March 19, 2026).

Later, she decided to check the body temperature of the pregnant hippopotamus. While she was checking the temperature using non-invasive infrared thermography, the animal suddenly attacked her.

The staff of the safari shifted her to a private hospital in Shivamogga. She had suffered deep wounds, excessive bleeding, and damage to her liver, which led to cardiac arrest, according to official sources. She succumbed to injuries around 6.30 a.m. on Friday (March 20, 2026).

According to officials, she was undergoing training as a veterinary officer, and there was an additional 45-day training period.

Forest Minister Eshwar Khandre has mourned the death of the veterinary officer and instructed officials to ensure standard operating procedures are followed strictly to avoid such incidents.