By Jim Balloch, Knoxville News-Sentinel
Original publication date: May 21, 2011

Knoxville, Tenn. — A few more details — but not all of the answers — are emerging from a Thursday incident in which emergency medical personnel were not allowed inside the Knoxville Zoo to treat a boy who had been injured by a camel.

An inaccurate report of a loose animal, combined with a lapse in communications, appear to be factors. Zoo spokeswoman Tina Rolen said she expects that “within two weeks” there will be a meeting between zoo officials and emergency agencies to discuss how to prevent a recurrence.

“This is an evolving situation, and we want to make sure we have all of the information and an accurate picture of what happened,” she said.

On the 911 tape of the incident, released Friday, a dispatcher tells the woman who had called to report the injury to make sure that zoo officials know that emergency vehicles were en route.

“We’re on the way,” the Rural/ Metro dispatcher says. “Be sure to find a security guard and let him know, OK?”

“OK,” the caller responds.

The caller was a zoo visitor and is reported to have been a doctor. She left before a name and address were obtained, Rolen said. The caller told a dispatcher that the child did not appear to be seriously injured but probably should be examined.

It remained unclear Friday if she did tell someone at the zoo that emergency vehicles were en route. As of late Friday, zoo officials said they had no idea that emergency vehicles had been sent until they first arrived at a zoo gate. The first responders from the Knoxville Fire Department and Rural/Metro ambulance emergency medical technicians were not allowed in the gate.

It is clear from the tape that the caller believed the camel was still loose in the zoo and had told that to a 911 dispatcher. The zoo has a rule of not letting anyone in the gate when an animal is reported loose. A press release from the zoo suggests that the guard – or “ranger” as they are called – at the gate could have learned from the first responders that the camel was reportedly still loose.

The camel had briefly gotten out of the corral area that was set up for camel rides but had been led back inside the area almost immediately, Rolen said. The camel, not fully grown, is 1 year old and weighs about 400 pounds. It was startled, stumbled over the fence and came into contact with the boy, zoo officials said.

Zoo officials said the boy was there with a woman they described as his “guardian.” The woman was told that medical assistance was available at the gate. Rolen said the woman was told that EMTs could be brought to the child, or the rangers could take the child to the EMTs at the gate.

“She said no,” Rolen said.

But once outside the gate, the woman changed her mind and appeared anxious to have the child transported, Corcoran said.

“It was not like, ‘Oh, well, since you’re already here just go ahead and do it,’ ” he said.

Friday afternoon, a woman called the News Sentinel and said she is the boy’s mother. She said earlier reports that medical treatment for the boy was declined are not true. She did not give her name and said she has been told not to discuss the matter.

About the Author
Jim Balloch may be reached at 865/342-6315.

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