July 14, 2022 - 7:24am | By Ty Schonert
(Freeport, MN) -- A zookeeper at Hemker Park and Zoo is in the hospital after being bit by a camel.
The incident happened Wednesday afternoon. 32-year-old Roger Blenker was bitten on the head and then dragged by the animal for approximately 15 feet.
A second zoo worker intervened. sticking an item in the animal's mouth to lodge it open. That's when the camel charged the second zoo worker as well, and nipped him in the head also. Deputies say Blenker was airlifted to a local hospital.
The zoo said the incident happened during normal zoological operations and that Blenker is expected to make a full recovery.