Two lives were lost. Neither should have been. 

A recent tragedy claimed the life of a dedicated wildlife veterinarian Dr Sameeksha Reddy at Tyavarekoppa Tiger and Lion safari, while she was caring for a hippopotamus. In the aftermath of the incident, the hippopotamus also lost its life.

This heartbreaking event reminds us of an important truth: when safety systems fail, both people and animals can suffer irreversible consequences.

Veterinarians, zookeepers, rescue personnel, and wildlife professionals devote their lives to protecting animals, often under challenging and unpredictable conditions. They deserve workplaces equipped with the highest standards of safety, training, staffing, and emergency preparedness. Likewise, captive wildlife deserves environments and management practices that minimize stress, support natural behaviors, and reduce the likelihood of dangerous  encounters.

Working with large wild animals will always involve risk. However, internationally recognized  zoo and veterinary practices demonstrate that many of these risks can be significantly reduced through better planning, modern infrastructure, continuous training, and stronger animal welfare standards.

This tragedy should become a catalyst for meaningful change—not only to protect those who care for wildlife, but also to improve the welfare and management of the animals entrusted to our care.

Why this matters Karnataka is home to some of India's most important zoos, rescue centres, and wildlife conservation facilities. These institutions play a vital role in conservation, rehabilitation, scientific research, veterinary care, and public education.

As wildlife care evolves, so too should the systems that support it. Every serious incident provides an opportunity to evaluate existing practices, learn from experience, and strengthen safeguards for the future.

Improving safety for veterinarians and animal keepers goes hand in hand with improving the welfare of captive wildlife. Better enclosure design, species-specific behavioral management, protected-contact systems where appropriate, adequate staffing, and well-rehearsed emergency procedures all contribute to safer outcomes for both humans and animals.

By investing in these improvements today, Karnataka can become a national leader in humane, science-based wildlife care.

We respectfully urge the Government of Karnataka and relevant wildlife authorities to:

● Conduct an independent and transparent review of the recent incident and publicly share recommendations that can strengthen future safety practices.

● Review and update statewide safety protocols for veterinary procedures and the handling of dangerous wildlife using evidence-based national and international best practices.

● Ensure all veterinarians, zookeepers, and wildlife staff receive regular training in species behavior, emergency response, risk assessment, and safe animal handling techniques.

● Invest in modern safety infrastructure, including protected-contact systems, emergency barriers, communication systems, and rapid-response equipment, where appropriate.

● Ensure adequate staffing and supervision during high-risk veterinary procedures and animal management activities.

● Commission periodic independent animal welfare assessments to improve enclosure design, environmental enrichment, behavioral management, and stress reduction for captive wildlife.

● Develop standardized statewide operating procedures for wildlife emergencies and critical incidents across all zoos and rescue centres.

● Establish a multidisciplinary advisory committee comprising veterinarians, wildlife biologists, animal behavior specialists, zoo professionals, occupational safety experts, and conservationists to periodically review safety and welfare standards.

● Create a statewide incident reporting and learning framework so that every serious incident is documented, analyzed, and used to improve practices across all wildlife facilities.

This is about learning—not blame.

This petition is not intended to assign blame to any individual or institution. Wildlife professionals dedicate their lives to caring for animals under circumstances that can be complex and inherently risky.

Instead, this petition calls for continuous improvement. The greatest way to honor the lives affected by this tragedy is to ensure that the lessons learned lead to safer workplaces, stronger animal welfare standards, and better systems that protect both people and wildlife.

Sign this petition

We call upon the Government of Karnataka and wildlife authorities to strengthen safety standards, invest in modern wildlife management practices, and prioritize the wellbeing of both captive animals and the professionals who care for them.

Protecting wildlife and protecting the people who care for wildlife are inseparable goals.

Let this tragedy become the catalyst for safer, more humane wildlife care across Karnataka so that no family loses a loved one in the line of duty, and no animal loses its life because preventable risks were left unaddressed.