Knoxville Zoo keeper, Stephanie James, a member of the Knoxville Zoo’s elephant keeper staff, was fatally injured in an incident last Friday.
James was transported to The University of Tennessee Medical Center Friday afternoon, where she passed away as a result of internal injuries which were caused when James was pushed up against the side of a stall by a female African Elephant named Edie.
Edie will not be punished for disciplined for the incident since it was determined by zoo officials that her actions were not aggressive.
All three of the zoo's African elephants will be managed in protected contact while a review is underway.
Protected contact involves handling of an elephant through a protective barrier. The elephant is not spatially confined and free to leave the area at will. Prior to the incident, the zoo's two female elephants were managed by free contact, which is direct handling of an elephant when a keeper and an elephant share the same unrestricted space.
As part of the on-going review, the zoo is in contact with The University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Association (TWRA).
The zoo is currently assembling an independent panel to review the incident and the zoo's elephant procedures.
“Knoxville Zoo expresses its deepest sympathy to Ron and Kris James for the devastating loss of their daughter, Stephanie James,” said Knoxville Zoo Executive Director Jim Vlna. “This is a very difficult day for all friends and colleagues of Stephanie, who was respected and admired member of the Knoxville Zoo Family.”
A fund has been established for the James family at Clayton Bank and Trust, The Stephanie James Memorial Fund. Contribution can be made at any Clayton Bank and Trust branch.

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