BIRCH RUN, Mich. – A Michigan zoo worker is recovering after being scratched by a bobcat.
The encounter happened at the Wilderness Trails Zoo in Birch Run on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
“To all of our concerned visitors we can confirm that a minor incident occurred involving a bobcat and a staff member during routine animal care today,” the zoo said in a social media post. “A keeper sustained non-life-threatening injuries after being scratched while providing enrichment to the bobcat enclosure.”
The scratch happened during the bobcat’s usual morning routine with a trained carnivore keeper.
The worker went into the bobcat’s enclosure to place enrichment items, which included fresh grass and catnip, according to the zoo.
While putting the items down, the bobcat scratched the worker’s head and hand.
A senior carnivore worker who was assisting with the routine animal care helped separate the bobcat and the other worker. After that, both workers left the enclosure through the double-locked safety corridor.
“At no point was there any risk to the public or possibility of animal escape,” the zoo said.
Zoo management arrived in the area within minutes, and EMS was called. The zookeeper got stitches for a 9mm laceration and was also treated for some superficial scratches.
The injured employee is “recovering comfortably,” according to the zoo.
The zoo said this was a rare accident.
“WTZoo maintains rigorous training protocols and safety procedures for all animal interactions,” said the zoo in the post. “We are proud of the swift, professional response from our staff, whose actions ensured the safety of both humans and animals involved.”
“This was a rare and unfortunate accident, but not the result of negligence by staff, policy, or the animal. Interactions such as this, while uncommon, can occur even with domestic animals, particularly during inclement weather when natural animal behaviors may be heightened.”
The Wilderness Trails Zoo is still reviewing the incident to evaluate safety protocols out of an abundance of caution, but at this point, no changes are currently necessary.
The zoo says the bobcat is healthy and under routine observation.