In an open letter, the Taronga Zoo keeper told of her recovery, has thanked supporters, and pardoned the elephant that nearly killed her.
Although the incident left her in a critical condition, with broken ribs yet to heal, Lucy took the opportunity to explain the 2 1/2 year old one tonne elephant’s actions.
“As many remember, Pathi’s birth 2 1/2 years ago was indeed a miracle as he was presumed dead in the womb. Being a part of getting Pathi Harn well and on his feet after such a dramatic and traumatic start to life remains one of the biggest highlights of my career,” she wrote in an open letter
It was during a training session last month when the 2 1/2 year old one tonne elephant, usually a placid creature, turned on Lucy.
“I realised he was thinking of challenging me. I immediately tried to redirect his thoughts by asking him for a different behaviour, and at the same time I was making my way out of the stall,” she wrote.
“Unfortunately, just as I was almost out, he raised his trunk and pinned me against one of the metal bollards. His trunk on my chest took my breath away, which made it impossible for me to talk and tell him to stop.
“My co-workers immediately reacted, and stepped in to move him away from me. He was completely fine afterwards and acted as though nothing had happened.”
The elephant crushed Lucy, causing her heart to stop for five minutes. Remarkably, she was left without serious injuries and is not waiting “for some fractured ribs to heal.”
While Lucy pardoned the elephant’s actions in her letter, she did acknowledge his aggressive actions were unusual.
“While juvenile male elephants will often challenge and test their boundaries as they mature, we were taken aback to see it happen in a calf as young as Pathi.”
He is now being worked in a more protected management style.
Lucy is now looking forward to returning work with the elephants “especially Pathi Harn!”
In her letter, the elephant keeper expressed her gratitude for all the love and support send to her during the recovery process.
“The well wishes, cards, flowers, and gifts from friends, family and even complete strangers meant so much to me, and I truly believe it led to my speedy recovery. I want to extend a special thank you to my work mates, who attended to me immediately and handled the situation with total professionalism and compassion.”
