(Adult tapirs Marmaduke and Rio with their new calf at Dublin Zoo on July 1 and , above, Rio with her charge)
The Irish Examiner understands the incident took place after zoo keepers agreed to allow the family to view the tapirs from a closer site than most visitors — a step that is usually closely monitored by expert workers.
However, after entering the second site it is understood one of the zoo’s two adult tapirs — a female called Rio, whose weeks-old baby was also in the location — became agitated. An attack followed, resulting in the child suffering serious injuries after being mauled by the animal.
Child, 2, seriously injured in tapir mauling at Dublin Zoo (Fiachra Ó Cionnaith, Irish Examiner)
Girl (2) and mother mauled by tapir at Dublin Zoo (Colin Gleeson, irish Times)
Previously: Meanwhile At Dublin Zoo
Pics: Dublin Zoo