Tragedy at Green Valley Zoo: Zookeeper Injured in Panda Enclosure
A wave of shock swept through Oregon’s Green Valley Zoo after 32-year-old zookeeper
Michael Torres was critically injured on August 23, 2025 while tending to Bai Yun,
a seven-year-old panda he had cared for for years.
According to zoo officials, surveillance footage showed Bai Yun “nervously pacing before the sudden,
aggressive behavior that led to the attack.”
Staff quickly followed emergency protocols and
pulled Michael to safety before rushing him to a nearby hospital.
Veterinarians are now monitoring Bai Yun and investigating possible causes such as “stress,
illness, environmental disruption, or an instinctive reaction.”
The panda enclosure has been temporarily closed to visitors.
Described by colleagues as “compassionate, patient, and exceptionally devoted,”
Michael remains in critical condition.
The zoo pledged transparency during the investigation,
emphasizing its commitment to “staff safety and animal welfare.”
