World · Africa · 1 hr ago
Zoo Miami worker hospitalized after possible opioid exposure
A Zoo Miami worker became ill during an animal procedure on November 6 while a greater kudu was being prepared for transfer to another facility.
The worker was helping secure the animal’s head after it had been immobilized for tests.
The zoo said the worker’s skin may have touched thiafentanil in the kudu’s saliva, but the cause of the symptoms has not been confirmed.
Thiafentanil is a powerful opioid used to anesthetize animals and is not intended for people.
The worker received Narcan and was taken to Jackson South Medical Center, where they remain stable under medical observation.
The zoo said it acted out of caution, and the worker’s identity has not been released.
A Zoo Miami worker was hospitalized after possible exposure to the opioid thiafentanil while helping with a greater kudu antelope.
The employee developed symptoms on November 6 during a procedure connected to the animal’s transfer to another facility.
The zoo said the employee’s skin may have come into contact with the drug through the antelope’s saliva.
The cause of the symptoms has not been officially confirmed.
The employee received Narcan and was taken to Jackson South Medical Center, where they remained in stable condition under observation.
- Who
- A Zoo Miami employee whose identity has not been released.
- What
- The employee developed symptoms after possible exposure to thiafentanil and was hospitalized.
- When
- November 6, 2026.
- Where
- Zoo Miami; the employee was taken to Jackson South Medical Center.
- Why
- The employee may have encountered thiafentanil while helping secure a greater kudu’s head during a veterinary examination.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The employee developed symptoms while helping with a procedure on a greater kudu being transferred to another facility.
The employee received Narcan and was transported to Jackson South Medical Center for evaluation and observation.
- Animal
- Greater kudu antelope
- Possible opioid
- Thiafentanil
- Treatment
- Narcan
- Hospital
- Jackson South Medical Center
- Condition
- Stable under medical observation
What people are saying
The symptoms occurred while the employee was helping secure the animal’s head following immobilization, allowing the zoo veterinarian to conduct the necessary tests as part of the animal’s pre-shipment examination.
an abundance of caution
The employee was administered Narcan and transported to Jackson South Medical Center for further evaluation and observation,