Veteran Elephant Handler Returns To Zoo
Thiesen Was Manager For 8 Years
POSTED: 2:10 p.m. EST November 21, 2002
UPDATED: 5:07 p.m. EST January 2, 2003
PITTSBURGH -- The Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium confirmed Thursday that elephant manager Willie Theison has returned to full-time work status.
Theison, the manager for eight years, left in October to work in Germany. He remained on the payroll as a consultant, but was asked to come back after keeper Michael Gatti was crushed to death by an elephant in November.
The fatal incident occurred during a morning walk throughout the zoo grounds. WTAE learned that the walk was only the second since Theison's departure, but it was a daily routine during his first tenure.
Gatti's death prompted the zoo to discontinue regular elephant walks through the grounds. Zoo spokeswoman Connie George had no comment when asked if the regular walks will resume.
Previous Stories:
- November 21, 2002: Team 4: Elephant Was Exposed To Violence
- November 20, 2002: Team 4: Dead Penguins, Leaky Tank At PPG Aquarium
- November 19, 2002: Team 4: Another Zoo Elephant Accident Uncovered
- November 19, 2002: Zoo Mourns Elephant Handler's Death
- November 18, 2002: Zoo Elephant Handler Killed
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