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On Thursday, August 14, 2025, a group of 20 UC ERC students, faculty, and staff participated in a tour and presentations from staff at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden. The group was made up of participants from all the ERC academic programs (industrial hygiene, safety engineering, occupational health nursing, and occupational medicine), making it a truly interdisciplinary experience. The group learned about many different aspects of the safety and health operations at the Cincinnati Zoo including emergency response, animal risk and response plans, dive team safety, zoonotic disease, weapons team, and workers’ compensation. The group also toured the animal hospital and met with the veterinary staff. Below are recaps from the students that participated in the trip. The leadership of Office of Public Safety at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens provided students and faculty firsthand experience to learn about the unique hazards and mitigation of risks to all staff, volunteers, visitors, and animals within the zoo environment. While not all students will work within a zoo environment, many of the technology and safety principals are transferable to other industries. Meeting with and hearing the expertise of Wei Liu the Director of Public Safety and Liz Clemons the Associate Director of the Office of Public Safety, opened students’ and faculties’ minds
UC ERC Group Outside Entrance Gate
Animal Containment Safety Teams & Public Safety
By: Tony Nesta
As a part of the ERC at the University of Cincinnati, I had the opportunity to attend a day trip to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden to learn about various safety topics regarding zoo worker safety and risk management. Some examples include zoonotic disease exposure, dive team roles and safety, and heat exhaustion to name a few. One topic I found interesting is the role of safety teams regarding animal containment. As an early detection strategy, the zoo utilizes hundreds of security cameras through the premises for security. This allows animal managers, who are staffed 24/7, to continually monitor for animals who have escaped. Just as important, the enclosures employ a barrier crossing technology that helps prevent and detect early if any person or animal breaches the habitat barrier whether intentionally or inadvertently. In the event an animal escapes its enclosure, an internal code is issued. Zookeepers, rather than public safety, are responsible for collection and protection of the escaped animal. A collaboration between public safety and zookeepers is key in order to orchestra the safe return. Moreover, public safety helps provide crowd control to ensure adequate space between zoo attendees and the animal. In the unfortunate event that adequate safe return and containment cannot be achieved, there is escalation to more specialized teams. Overall, I enjoyed my visit with the University of Cincinnati to learn the occupational exposures and safety mechanisms the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden employ that keep the animals, employees, and patrons safe.
Animal Escape Risks and Response Plans
By: Lisa French
The field trip to the Cincinnati Zoo was very informative and included the topics of animal escape risks and response plans. Several safety risks for staff, animals, and the general public were identified. There are different levels of containment based on the type of animal involved: dangerous or non-dangerous. They have a Potentially Deadly Animal List which is monitored and updated as needed. The Zoo staff have regularly scheduled quality checks in place and keep records for certification. Different levels of codes categorize interactions between humans and animals. Education is needed to let humans know their boundaries when in the presence of animals, for example, not touching or feeding them.
The primary responsibility of the Zoo’s safety department is to protect life. All staff are certified in CPR. Among the staff are trained weapons personnel. The safety team works closely with the Cincinnati Police and Fire Departments to coordinate efforts when needed. Normally, emergency medical services are staged close by and can respond as soon as the situation is safe.
Overall, this was a very useful trip that exposed the risks and exposures of Zoo staff to occupational hazards. This was a great learning experience.
Employee and Public Safety
By: MK Wintz
The opportunity to visit the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens on our OSHE fieldtrip was enlightening.
Zoo volunteer dressed to minimize heat-related illness
On our walk through the park to the elephant exhibit meeting room, the staff were actively beginning their working day and starting to set up the park for guests. Walking through, I noticed that most employees were carrying fanny packs or backpacks with hydration, sun hats, and protective clothing and shoes. Seeing all these staff (photo of a volunteer included above) protecting themselves from heat-related illnesses so early in the day showed the staff commitment to employee health and safety from the very beginning of the day!
As we got into the discussion of common first aid and emergency response, it became clear that heat related illness and slips, trips, and falls were the most common employee safety issues. The staff at the Zoo was clearly supported in taking the necessary steps to protect themselves and had a great understanding of how to support the public in this area. In addition, the staff have routine training and understanding of more severe emergencies as well. Their emergency response protocols included looking for ways to improve response times within the Zoo and surrounding neighborhoods, improving visibility of zoo activities, and surpassing the set safety training standards during each annum. The zoo continues to seek opportunities to better support their guest safety as well and frequently look for initiatives to improve safety for the public. One recent example of this is a current initiative to label available first aid kits and safety supplies on public facing maps.
Heat Exhaustion Recognition and Prevention
By Tanya Cabrito
As outdoor temperatures rise during the summer months, heat exhaustion becomes a significant occupational health concern at the Cincinnati Zoo, where both staff and volunteers spend extended periods working outdoors. Heat exhaustion is a heat-related illness that results from the body losing substantial amounts of water and electrolytes through sweating, leading to an impaired ability to regulate normal body temperature. It presents with symptoms such as heavy sweating, fatigue, dizziness, headache, muscle cramps, nausea, and an overall sense of weakness. If left unaddressed, these symptoms can worsen into a more severe condition, such as heat stroke, which involves neurological impairment or organ failure. Therefore, early recognition and intervention are imperative.
To mitigate the risk of heat exhaustion, the Cincinnati Zoo has implemented several preventive measures. Regular updates on heat conditions are communicated through the Zoo’s mobile app and staff radio system, allowing teams to make informed decisions based on real-time data. Volunteers and staff are encouraged to hydrate consistently and take regular breaks. Water stations are readily accessible, and shaded areas are available to provide relief during periods of elevated heat. In addition, workers are advised to pace themselves and allow time for acclimatization, helping the body gradually adapt to thermal stress.
Awareness and timely recognition of heat exhaustion symptoms allow for appropriate responses, such as moving to a cooler area, cooling the body, hydrating, resting, or seeking further medical evaluation as needed. While heat exhaustion is a common condition in high-temperature environments, it is also a preventable one. By promoting awareness and reinforcing a safety-first culture, the Zoo minimizes risk and helps protect the health and performance of its team.
Animal Hospital and Veterinary Staff
By: Shawn Howe
Working with animals at the zoo isn’t without its risks. Elephants can get Tuberculosis (TB) from airborne transmission. Zookeepers can get bird flu from their in-house population. Wallabies can die from cross-diseases. Because of this, multiple teams at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden must take extra care in mitigating the possibility of exposure to Zoonotic diseases.
The dive team is one such group. They take extra care to test the water for algae and chemically treat their equipment before and after work tasks. On the front lines of this risk, however, the animal hospital has more stringent protocols. Before an animal is introduced at the zoo, it will undergo testing, such as TB testing, in some animals. The team indicated that, given the resources, education, and skills of the company, they are progressive in taking on animals even if they pose a challenge. They may use quarantine techniques or vaccines. The hospital team mentioned many challenges in the past, including the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, where they discovered that some animals were sensitive to the disease. This led to heightened awareness of the team, leading to mitigating actions such as the use of PPE and face masks when around the animals for treatment or testing.
UC group in the animal hospital listening to a presentation by one of the Zoo veterinarians
One of the most impressive aspects about the Cincinnati Zoo is that their hospital team not only cares for and treats the animals they own, but they also have the resources and competency to conduct research for their animals to prevent or reduce the risk of disease for different species. A lab for elephants exists specifically for understanding Elephant Endotheliotropic Herpes Virus (EEHV), a disease that is the leading cause of death in young elephants in North America, Europe, and Thailand.” As a result of their focus, the veterinary team has seen a reduction in the likelihood of mortality to a greater extent. The teams at the zoo are competent and demonstrate skill in their profession, inspiring future teams.
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Cincinnati Zoo Diver Team
By: Benjamin Goulart
Beneath the surface of the Cincinnati Zoo's aquatic exhibits, a dedicated team of divers works tirelessly to keep the habitats pristine and the animals healthy. This unique team is comprised of three full-time diver specialists, approximately 15 cross-trained employees, and about 50 volunteers, half of whom are divers.
UC student talks to members of the Cincinnati Zoo and Newport Aquarium diving teams
Their work, while often unseen, is critical. The team's primary responsibility is cleaning, meticulously scrubbing the walls and floors of the exhibits. This essential task helps maintain water clarity and quality, which is also monitored through weekly tests. When E. coli levels are elevated, the team takes extra precautions, utilizing full-face masks to prevent water ingestion.
Safety is paramount and integrated into every aspect of their operation. Divers are required to be certified in dive rescue and CPR. All gear is maintained with an on-site air compressor, regular leak checks, and quarterly air sample testing. Every five years, equipment undergoes professional hydrostatic testing.
The job isn't without its risks. While the animals can pose a physical threat to the employees and volunteers in the water—such as ramming by large species or potential shark bites—the most significant danger is a diver experiencing a medical event while underwater. Ultimately, the team’s commitment to rigorous training, meticulous protocols, and proactive risk mitigation ensures a safe environment for both the divers and the animals they care for.
Worker’s Compensation
By: Hannah Frame
On Thursday, August 14, the Cincinnati Zoo hosted the University of Cincinnati Education and Research Center (UC ERC) students. The Cincinnati Zoo maintains a careful balance between worker, visitor, and animal safety. Due to the dynamic environment, the outcomes of each decision are pragmatically considered to provide the most positive outcome. This record of effective decision-making is evident through their worker’s compensation program. The Cincinnati Zoo is self-insured and provides 100% coverage for any diagnosed occupational-related injuries and illnesses. The most common cases include slips, trips, and falls, and heat-related illnesses, due to the outside environment. To prevent heat-related illnesses, workers are annually trained to recognize the signs of heat illness and steps that can be taken to prevent heat illness, including heat acclimatization. On especially hot days, the public safety team will deliver a reminder every two hours over the in-park radio system to drink water, take breaks, and stay in shaded and cool areas. Due to the nature of close work with animals, there can also be scratch and bite cases. While the Cincinnati Zoo takes a proactive approach to worker health and safety, there are times where a reactive response is necessitated. In cases where an individual becomes injured or ill in the workplace, the workers immediately notify the public safety team. This team will respond and ensure that proper on-site care is given to the worker and that steps are taken to mitigate further injury. The public safety team will also notify the human resources team to ensure that workers have the proper support and resources to progress through any necessary worker’s compensation cases. If outside care is needed, the public safety team will help facilitate this process. Overall, the practices that are in place to keep workers, visitors, and animals safe are well-established at the Cincinnati Zoo, ensuring a positive and safe environment.
UC group debriefs outside on the balcony overlooking the Elephant Trek
Worker’s Compensation: Common and Unique Injuries
By: Kofi Osei-Acheampong.
The visit to Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden reveals not only the critical care required for animal well-being but also there are unique occupational hazards the zoo employees face. The zoo workers are susceptible to bites, cuts, and abrasions, especially when handling mammals, reptiles, and avian species. These injuries may appear minor but carry the potential for serious infection due to exposure to animal-borne bacteria and viruses. Occupational infection and zoonoses represent a significant concern because of their close proximity to wildlife. Another category of frequently reported injuries involves musculoskeletal disorders such as back strain, shoulder pain, and joint stress, often resulting from repetitive lifting of heavy feed bags, manipulation of enrichment materials, or movement of animal transport crates. These cumulative injuries develop over time and require medical intervention, physiotherapy, or job reassignment.
Chemical exposure is another consideration in the work. Zoo personnel are routinely exposed to disinfectants, pest control agents, and anesthetic gases, which may provoke respiratory irritation, allergic reactions, or dermal sensitivity. The combination of biological, ergonomic, chemical, and physical hazards creates a complex risk profile that demands both robust safety protocols and comprehensive workers’ compensation frameworks.
Although the Cincinnati Zoo employs rigorous safety protocols such as using personal protective equipment (PPE) and specialized animal-handling techniques such as shifting, and the construction of secure enclosure barrier, occupational injuries remain a residual risk. The complex and unpredictable nature of working with exotic and potentially dangerous animals means that even well-designed preventive measures cannot eliminate all incidents. Workers’ compensation thus functions as a necessary complement to existing safety systems, offering a structured pathway for incident reporting, medical response, and return-to-work support.
The tour did not only illustrate the complexity of managing a modern zoological facility but also highlights the scientific and regulatory importance of occupational health programs in protecting those who sustain the biodiversity and conservation of the environment.
Behind the Scenes at the Cincinnati Zoo: A Look into Risk Management and the Weapons Team
By: Julie Florentin
On August 14, 2025, I had the opportunity to participate in a unique behind-the-scenes experience at the Cincinnati Zoo. My topic of interest was understanding the role of the weapons team and its broader risk management practices. The day began promptly at 0915. Our group met near the hippo sculpture by the zoo entrance escalators. By 0930, we were greeted by zoo staff and escorted to a conference room in the elephant building.
From 1000 to 1515, we attended a series of presentations covering topics that ranged from animal safety protocols to incident response planning. The Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden is an Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) accredited facility. A clear emphasis was placed on the zoo’s commitment to animal welfare and staff responsibility. A lunch break from 1200 to 1300 provided time to recharge before we toured the zoo’s animal hospital from 1300 to 1400. The hospital highlighted the advanced veterinary care available on-site and the extensive measures taken to ensure animal health.
UC group in the Elephant Center event space listening to presentations from different teams
Throughout the day, one message stood out; Zoo staff deeply care about the animals in their care and are equally committed to ensuring the safety of visitors and employees. The weapons team is an extension of this responsibility. The weapons team plays a critical role in managing rare but high-risk situations such as emergency response to dangerous animal escapes, where public safety could be at risk. The team prioritizes their decisions based on the well-being of both animals and humans. Most notably, their training and protocols ensure that lethal force is always a last resort.
A key takeaway was the clarification that the AZA does not provide detailed rules for weapons programs. Instead, the AZA requires accredited facilities to have a program in place but gives each zoo the authority to define its own structure and procedures. This flexibility enables tailored approaches but places a heavy responsibility on each team to ensure their program is thoughtfully designed and managed.
Emergency Response and First Aid
By: Kera Studer
The interdisciplinary trip to the Cincinnati Zoo was beneficial for the occupational health professionals in a number of ways. There were multiple topics discussed such as response plans for animal escapes, emergencies, disease risks and use of weapons in the event of dangerous encounters. Additionally, there were several departments present including public safety personnel, animal hospital veterinary workers and the dive team.
Emergency response and first aid basics was one of many topics discussed by the Cincinnati Zoo staff. Leading this discussion was the Director of the Office of Public Health Safety, Wei Liu and Associate Director of Public Health and Safety, Liz Clemons. They explained the Cincinnati Fire Department is located just a few blocks from the zoo, is deeply involved with emergent responses that include medical issues for staff and their guests. They may also be contacted for other emergent issues as well, such as animal control risks. The Cincinnati Fire Department has a radio that directly ties into the security department within the zoo, which makes for even faster, more efficient response times. The radio is a direct way to communicate and respond to emergencies quickly, as often times the fire department will receive 911 emergency calls before the zoo security team is notified. Some recent events in which both departments collaborated include: animal escapes; lost children (which is the most common call); or sometimes, lost parents.
Wei Liu had presented their first aid, near miss and recordable tracking file which included incidents dating back to 2016. The majority of incidents on the list were first aids, with the most common being heat exhaustion, or other heat-related illnesses. Surprisingly, there were few lifting injuries, which the group expected to be relatively high among the veterinary hospital staff. The zoo security team explained that they also have near misses, which are fortunate so they can learn about risks before someone experiences an injury. Several layers of containment exist to protect staff, visitor, animals and the community.
Crowd Control and Security
By: Slater Payne
The crowd control tactics used by the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden are designed around two primary strategies: effective communication and environmental design. Between radios, a specialized app, sirens, and loudspeakers, the zoo has a multitude of ways to gather and disseminate information to staff members, volunteers, and guests. The zoo has a direct line to the local fire department and police department in order to more effectively collaborate with emergency first responders prior to their arrival on scene. Thanks to the focus on communication, any incident occurring within the zoo can quickly and effectively be directed to any relevant resources.
Elephant Trek and an example of employing environmental design to serve as natural barriers
Of course, the zoo itself follows the idea of utilizing environmental design to deter criminal activity and promote public safety. First aid equipment, safety gear, barricades, and means of transportation are scattered throughout the zoo to ensure staff always have access to what is needed when it's needed. There are also a few hundred cameras spread across the zoo, allowing zoo security to monitor what is occurring across the zoo and identify potential risks before they can escalate. The plants, fences, and enclosures themselves are also designed to help control the flow of crowds through the zoo. This makes it easier to deter guests from attempting to enter restricted areas like inside enclosures or to barricade off areas by restricting the walkways that can access them.
Plant, Reptile, and Insect Safety & Zoonotic Diseases
By: Deyze Badarane
The Cincinnati Zoo is a haven for animal lovers, but beyond the lions and gorillas lie fascinating, often overlooked creatures and botanical marvels that deserve the spotlight, such as reptiles, insects, and plants.
Zoonotic diseases are illnesses transmitted between animals and humans. While mammals often lead the conversation, zoo environments present less obvious risks through reptiles, insects, and even plants.
Turtles, snakes, and lizards may shed Salmonella in their droppings—even when healthy. This bacterium can contaminate surfaces and hands, leading to gastrointestinal illness if hygiene lapses occur during petting or feeding.
Some exotic flora in zoo landscapes are hazardous if touched or ingested, especially by children. Others may emit spores or allergens affecting immunocompromised or sensitive individuals—making plant exposure a non-negligible concern. More than just scenery, the zoo’s exotic plants play an essential role in animal habitat and education.
Look out for: The corpse flower—a rare bloom that smells terrible but attracts pollinators from miles away! The bamboo grove, home to red pandas, grows inches per day in summer.
Insects make up over 80% of all known species on Earth—and many help pollinate the plants we rely on every day. Mosquitoes can carry viruses like West Nile, while ticks—often unnoticed—may spread Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These vectors pose elevated risks in outdoor or dense vegetation zones.
Reptile Safety
Reptiles (snakes, turtles, lizards) may carry Salmonella. Avoid direct contact. Wash hands after touching enclosures or glass barriers.
Insect Precautions
Mosquitoes may carry West Nile Virus. Ticks can transmit Lyme disease and Rocky Mountain spotted fever. Wear long sleeves and use insect repellent in vegetated or open-air zones.
Plant Contact Risks
Avoid touching unfamiliar or exotic plants. Some may release allergens or contain natural toxins. Supervise children near botanical exhibits
UC ERC group outside the Elephant Center meeting space
Thank you to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Garden staff for welcoming our UC ERC group and teaching us about all the different aspects of employee, volunteer, public, and animal safety and health!