Whipsnade Zoo cleared after rhino badly injured keeper

The man, in his 50s, was tending to the animals in the Asian rhino enclosure at Whipsnade when one unexpectedly turned on him.

He was left immersed in water with chest, abdomen and pelvic injuries.

Colleagues raised the alarm and he was taken to Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge in a “serious” condition.

The zoo has refused to give an update on the worker’s condition eight months after the incident, saying it is a “private matter”.

Central Bedfordshire Council, which investigated the incident, said ‘no further action’ will be taken against zoo bosses.

But its investigation was unable to establish the cause of the incident.

A spokesman said zoo staff have been given “advice and recommendations around improving policies and procedures”.

But neither the council or zoo would expand on the report findings.

A council spokesman said: “We have worked closely with Whipsnade following the incident and offered advice and recommendations around improving policies and procedures.

“We will continue to work with them on all aspects of health and safety.

“Following a lengthy investigation and review of the information gathered, no further action is to be taken.”

The council said it would not be releasing more details as much of the information obtained was “subject to strict disclosure rules”.

A spokeswoman for the Dunstable based zoo said the council recommended ‘minor changes’ to ‘existing policies and procedures’ which it has taken on board.

Fully-grown adult male rhinos can weigh more than two tonnes in captivity.

The one-horned rhinos at Whipsnade are endangered Nepalese rhinos.