Colchester Zoo Zebra Fatally Injured by Rhino, Visitors Report Gunshots

A zebra was ‘disembowelled and distressed’ after it was fatally gored by a rhino at Colchester Zoo yesterday, a visitor has claimed. 

The tragedy occurred in an outdoor enclosure hosting a variety of African species, such as zebras, rhinos, ostriches, and giraffes, which typically coexist peacefully.

Tim Miller, 66, from Essex was visiting the wildlife park with his children and grandchildren on Friday before the unfortunate incident occurred. 

Thirty minutes after the bloody ‘accident’ happened, he heard what he believed was several gunshots ring out. 

‘We [he and his family] were just literally walking along and we heard what sounded like several gunshots,’ he told MailOnline. 

‘It was truly inevitable. These animals have been sharing the same space for many years, so there isn’t a specific lesson to be learned; it appears to have been a tragic accident.’

On that fateful day, the grandfather ventured alone to the mixed enclosure with the intention of capturing some photographs. While there, he observed the rhinos engaging in what he described as ‘playful chasing and butting’.

But what first appeared to begin as a spirited interaction between the duo soon turned ‘less than playful’ with other animals taking ‘evasive action’, before the zebra was allegedly disembowelled. 

Dramatic images of the incident have emerged showing the extent of the zebra’s catastrophic injuries after it was gored to death. 

Pictured: The rhino on the left) with its damp and bloody horn following the unfortunate incident which saw a zebra gored

The zebra (pictured) emerged disembowelled following the incident between the two rhinos

‘The attack seemed random and just wrong place at the wrong time,’ Mr Bull previously told MailOnline (pictured: Rhinos at the enclosure today)

‘Funny enough I think I have seen more blood in the zoo yesterday than I have on safaris,’ Mr Miller told MailOnline. 

‘I saw these rhinos playing or what I suppose you first think it is and it was getting less playful. 

‘The big male rhino was being picked on by the little juvenile one and I think the had enough. 

‘I didn’t actually see the incident happen but all of a sudden this zebra was running around. It did get disembowelled and it was getting worse as it was running.’ 

The events between the rhinos butting heads and the zebra being fatally attacked remain unclear, however the keen photographer believes it was an accident. 

‘The other animals, the kudu, the ostriches where running around and getting out the way but this one zebra just didn’t get out of the way quick enough.

‘I wouldn’t have said the rhino specifically attacked it. They were all getting a bit agitated and its surprising how quickly they move as well.’

Pictures of the rhino in question have emerged showing what is believed to be blood on the  six  or seven inches at the top of its horn. 

Visitor Tim Miller said the rhino appeared to be ‘playfully butting heads’ and chasing one  another before the incident escalated

‘I wouldn’t have said the rhino specifically attacked it. They were all getting a bit agitated and its surprising how quickly they move as well,’ Mr Miller said

Mr Miller’s family where in the nighttime area so were not aware the incident had happened until afterwards, but he wasn’t keen to divulge on the bloody assault. 

‘I came back into where they were, I just said something has happened out there I didn’t even go into detail,’ he said. 

‘I was a bit shocked that something had happened because you imagine the animals have a knock here and there, but the seriousness of what happened was a surprise.

‘There wasn’t many people at the park because it was chilly, luckily, because it wasn’t a nice sight and everyone who was there had children with them.’

The father also praised staff for their quick response to what he described as ‘an unfortunate accident’.   

‘They worked as quick as they because you can’t go in because all the other animals where quite agitated and even though they are only herbivores.

‘They can cause a lot of damage so you can’t do anything except what they did really. Everyone seemed very professional with how they sorted it out.’

MailOnline has approached Colchester Zoo for comment.  

Edward Bull, 44, (pictured with his wife and son) witnessed ‘the very sad’ death of the zebra at Colchester Zoo yesterdayafternoon where the animal was brutally attacked by a rhno

He also spoke of the quick action and professionalism of Colchester Zoo staff in helping both visitors and the animal (pictured: Zebra and rhinos at the wildlife park on January 10)

Mr Miller’s family where in the nighttime area so were not aware the incident had happened until afterwards, but he wasn’t keen to divulge on the bloody assault. 

‘I came back into where they were, I just said something has happened out there I didn’t even go into detail,’ he said. 

‘I was a bit shocked that something had happened because you imagine the animals have a knock here and there, but the seriousness of what happened was a surprise.

‘There wasn’t many people at the park because it was chilly, luckily, because it wasn’t a nice sight and everyone who was there had children with them.’

Edward Bull, 44, witnessed ‘the very sad’ death of the zebra at Colchester Zoo yesterday afternoon when it was gored to death by a rhino in its shared enclosure. 

The zoo, which welcomes one million visitors each year and is the third most popular in England, said it was ‘devastated’ over the loss of the zebra.

‘The attack seemed random and just wrong place at the wrong time,’ Mr Bull told MailOnline regarding the unfortunate incident. 

But the father was quick to praise ‘amazing’ zoo staff who he explained acted quickly and with utmost professionalism. 

‘They acted very quickly to move away any visitors and ensure the zebra was given the best surroundings,’ he added

Zebras and rhinos in the outside enclosure for mixed African species at Colchester Zoo (pictured on a seperate day)

Divulging that there were ‘only a few onlookers’, he said the situation was ‘all very calm mainly due to the professionalism of the zoo staff.’ 

‘They acted very quickly to move away any visitors and ensure the zebra was given the best surroundings,’ he added.

‘[It was] sad but not a problem. We really enjoyed our day and seeing the professionalism of the park and its staff was impressive.’ 

Another visitor took to Facebook to speak of their sadness following the death of the zebra at one of Britain’s top zoo’s yesterday. 

‘We were at the zoo today. Literally just seen the rhinos and zebras chasing as we headed inside,’ they said in a Facebook post. 

Echoing Mr Bull’s testimony of the staff’s quick response, they revealed they had been asked to make their way to an exit to clear the area.  

‘[We did] not have a clue what had happened. Staff were amazing and acted very professionally under such awful circumstances. Our thoughts are with you all.’

Another onlooker who was at the zoo with their daughter and grandson, three, said they had been to see the enclosure only 30 minutes before the horrifying ordeal. 

A zebra was killed in a standoff with a rhino today, the Essex zoo – which is among the best in the country – confirmed (pictured: Zebra and rhinos side by side in the enclosure on another day)

‘There was one particular rhino that wouldn’t leave an ostrich alone and I thought he looked annoyed at the time! 

They added: ‘Thank goodness my little grandson didn’t witness it! So very sad for all involved.’

One person who claimed to have seen the ordeal said it was ‘awful to watch’, before adding: ‘I’m very upset.’

Colchester Zoo released a statement, which read: ‘At approximately 2pm today there was an incident in our mixed species African habitat between a rhino and our male zebra and sadly the zebra has died.

‘At this time we are directing our resources to make sure the rest of the animals in the habitat are settled.

‘These sorts of incidents are extremely rare and we will continue to monitor the situation over the next few days.

‘We are devastated by this loss and thank you for your understanding and support at this time.’

The zoo’s website states that its Kingdom of the Wild area was opened in 2001 with an indoor zone and outdoor paddock.

It adds: ‘This habitat is one of the few areas where you can see a range of different animals interacting as they would do out in the wild.

The zoo said it was ‘devastated’ at the incident on Friday, which occurred in its Kingdom of the Wild area

‘You will have the chance to see reticulated giraffes, maneless zebra, white rhino, ostrich, crowned crane and greater kudu enjoying their savannah environment.

‘The inside area is also home to pygmy hippo, a variety of reptiles, birds, and fish species. 

‘There is also a lovely view from the balcony overlooking our outdoor paddock.’

The zoo opened in 1963 and has kept a number of rhinos since 1972.