Missouri: Elephant Kills Zookeeper in Dickerson Park Zoo

October 11, 2013 Updated: July 18, 2015

An elephant killed a zookeeper, John Bradford, in Dickerson Park Zoo, located in Springfield, Mo., according to reports. Bradford was with the zoo for 25 years.

KY3-TV reported that the zoo worker was killed in the elephant barn on Friday. The elephant apparently got too aggressive with Bradford.

Reporter Chris Brewer wrote on Twitter that the zoo will be open for the day. He said that a 42-year-old female elephant named Patience was responsible for Bradford’s death.

It is unclear if anyone else was injured or if the elephant will be put down. 

The station did not elaborate more the incident.

KSDK reported that the zoo has three female and two male elephants.

One of the females, Connie, died earlier this month.