Delhi Zoo caretaker loses finger in monkey attack

The brief

Context

A caretaker at the National Zoological Park in Delhi (Delhi Zoo) was seriously injured on Monday morning when a bonnet macaque that had escaped its enclosure attacked him inside the staff gallery — the area outside animal enclosures used by zoo staff. The caretaker, Alok, lost a finger and suffered deep bites on both legs, and a visitor was bitten on the thigh. Alok alleged the enclosure's locking mechanism was faulty, that the animal section in-charge did not check enclosures regularly and that no range officer was present. The zoo director did not respond to the allegations.

Key facts

• Delhi Zoo caretaker Alok suffered a severed finger and deep bites on both legs in a monkey attack on Monday morning.
• The animal involved was a bonnet macaque, a brownish monkey commonly found in southern India, known for its agility and strong bite.
• Alok alleged the monkey came out of its enclosure on Sunday night because the gate was not locked properly.
• A visitor was also injured, bitten on the thigh, according to Alok's account to PTI.
• The injured caretaker was taken to Dr Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital by zoo officials after visitors raised an alarm.
• A senior Delhi Zoo official said the same monkey had attacked another staff member in December 2025, causing multiple injuries.
• In April 2025, a zookeeper trained to handle herbivores was assigned to care for a leopard and was injured in an attack.
• Alok alleged no range officer was present at the time of the attack and that the animal section in-charge did not visit the enclosure regularly.

Timeline

1. April 2025A zookeeper trained for herbivores was assigned to a leopard and suffered multiple injuries in an attack at Delhi Zoo.
2. December 2025The same bonnet macaque attacked another staff member, leaving him with multiple injuries, per a senior zoo official.
3. Sunday nightThe bonnet macaque allegedly came out of its enclosure after its gate was not locked properly.
4. Monday morningCaretaker Alok entered the staff gallery, was attacked and lost a finger; a visitor was bitten on the thigh; Alok taken to RML Hospital.

Who has a stake

• Alok, Delhi Zoo caretaker — Lost a finger and suffered deep leg bites; his workplace safety and treatment at RML Hospital are at stake.
• Delhi Zoo staff and keepers — Work in close proximity to animals; have earlier flagged manpower shortages and duties outside their area of expertise.
• Zoo visitors — One visitor was bitten on the thigh; the incident triggered panic, raising questions of public safety inside the zoo.
• Delhi Zoo director and administration — Faces allegations of a faulty locking mechanism, absent supervision and inadequate safety arrangements; director did not respond.
• Animal section in-charge / range officer — Alleged failure to inspect enclosures regularly and absence at the time of the attack.
• The bonnet macaque — Involved in a repeat incident after allegedly escaping an insecure enclosure; its handling and housing are in question.

Why it matters

The incident shows that a single unsecured enclosure gate can injure both staff and paying visitors inside a public zoo. With the same monkey reportedly having attacked a staffer in December 2025 and a keeper mauled by a leopard in April 2025, it points to a pattern rather than a one-off accident. It renews scrutiny of enclosure maintenance, supervision by range officers and the practice of assigning keepers to animals outside their expertise.