A 4-year-old cheetah attacked a zoo in the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on Thursday morning.
The cheetah, Isabelle, was walking by two staff members of the Animal Programs for her daily exercise when a zoo approached.
“At this point, Isabelle’s care team had her seated and she was calm and spidery,” zoo officials explained in a statement. “As the keeper approaches them, Isabelle crouches and jumps to the keeper of the heart of Africa, who works around giraffes and other hooves.”
“We believe that, as a result of normal animal behavior, the smell of these other animals at the caretaker caused a natural instinct in Isabelle, who reacted.”
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Isabelle, a 4-year-old cheetah, attacked a zoo in the Columbus Zoo on Thursday.
(Amanda Carberry, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium)
The zoo owner was transported to a local hospital for treatment, but has since been released.
The zoo said it was Isabelle’s first incident and she will now be placed in a 30-day quarantine to ensure she is not ill.
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After 30 days, she returns to the heart of Africa’s zoo.
“She shares a close bond with her care team and participates in the cheetah as one of the fastest runners,” said zoo officials.