Zookeeper Bitten by Venomous Rattlesnake at Cincinnati Zoo

A regular day at the Cincinnati Zoo took an unexpected twist when a female employee had a close encounter with a large and venomous rattlesnake on Thursday afternoon, according to zoo officials.

The Cincinnati Fire Department swiftly responded to the call for help at the Ohio zoo after the woman was bitten by an eastern diamondback rattlesnake. This snake resides in the reptile area within the Otto M. Budig Manatee Springs building, as indicated on the zoo's website.

A Dangerous Predator

Eastern diamondback rattlesnakes, according to the Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, are North America's largest venomous snakes, typically measuring between 3 to 6 feet in length, with some individuals growing up to 8 feet. These creatures are known for their distinctive rattle and the potentially lethal bite they can deliver to humans.

A Scary Encounter

The woman who had this unsettling encounter was promptly transported to the University of Cincinnati Hospital for medical attention. Thankfully, she is now in stable condition, offering a sigh of relief to all concerned.

Details about where exactly this incident occurred within the zoo premises have not been disclosed by authorities at this time.

The Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden has not yet responded to Fox News Digital's request for comments on the incident.