Child Bitten by Wild Snake at Birmingham Zoo

On Thursday, September 24, 2015, around noon a child was bitten by a wild snake at the Birmingham Zoo. In accordance with the Zoo’s protocol, Emergency Management Services were called to the Zoo and the child was taken to a local hospital. At this time, the safety and well-being of the child is the Zoo’s main priority.

The snake involved is a wild snake found in Alabama and is not part of the Zoo’s Animal Collection. Shortly after the incident the snake was contained and relocated by Zoo staff for examination. The snake has been identified as a copperhead. Zoo staff is working with the hospital to determine the appropriate treatment for the child. Information about the child has not been released at this time. The Zoo will provide updated information as it becomes available.

The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) lists 50 snakes that can be found in Alabama. Of these, six snakes are venomous snakes. For more information on snakes found in Alabama, visit the ADCNR’s website, outdooralabama.com.

For the press release, please click here.