4 p.m. (AP) — A longtime zookeeper in southwest Missouri has been killed by an elephant.

City spokeswoman Cora Scott says 62-year-old John Bradford died Friday after an elephant at the Dickinson Park Zoo made a sudden movement and hit him. No other zoo employees were injured.

Scott initially said the elephant charged Bradford, based on early reports from the scene. But she later changed that account based on new information.

Bradford worked at the zoo for 30 years and had been the zoo’s elephant manager for 25 years.

The elephant, a 41-year-old female named Patience, had been at the zoo since 1990. Zoo officials said Patience won’t be euthanized. The zoo opened as usual on Friday, although the elephants weren’t on exhibit.

 

(AP) — Springfield officials say a longtime zookeeper was killed by an elephant at the city’s Dickerson Park Zoo.

City spokeswoman Cora Scott says senior zookeeper John Bradford died Friday when a female elephant charged him.

Zoo officials say Bradford worked at the zoo at least 25 years and was a senior zookeeper.

Police continue to investigate the death and further details were not immediately available.