Zookeeper rushed to hospital after huge elephant crushed him against steel bars at UK safari park

A ZOOKEEPER needed hospital care after he was crushed by an elephant at a safari park.

The worker was cleaning the animals when ten-year-old Tarli slammed him against some steel bars.

He was left “screaming in agony” after the Asian elephant put its full force into the attack.

Staff managed to control the female as the keeper, who we are not naming, was taken from Woburn Safari Park, in Bedfordshire, to hospital.

He spent three days there — and is understood to have suffered cracked ribs and a liver lesion on November 5.

A source said: “Thankfully, elephant attacks like this are pretty rare.

Tarli could have very nearly killed the keeper as many are not fortunate enough to survive a crush like this due to their weight and power.

“This isn’t the first time she has attacked a keeper so they need to ensure it is safe for staff and the public to be near her.”

The zookeeper is expected to return to work next week after being released from hospital.

Tarli, born at the park in September 2014, is the smallest in the Asian elephant herd.

The trunked beasts can grow up to 10ft tall and weigh between three and five tons.

Woburn Safari Park said: “We can confirm that a colleague was hurt while carrying out routine duties in the elephant enclosure on Tuesday, November 5, and the emergency services were called.

“The keeper was taken to hospital and has since been released to recover at home.

“Staff welfare and wellbeing is of paramount importance to us.”