Practicing for emergencies: 50 firefighters receive training at Magdeburg Zoo on how to handle dangerous animals.
Magdeburg, February 9, 2006. What risks are involved in firefighting operations when dealing with snakes, spiders, and scorpions? How does one handle various animal species professionally in dangerous situations? How can firefighters safely manage, for example, a snake that encounters them during a house fire or has escaped from its terrarium while the owner is away? “These questions are the focus of the theoretical and practical training for emergency responders. We equip them with the necessary expertise for safely handling exotic animals in crisis situations. It’s about understanding the diverse behaviors of the animals and assessing potential risks,” explains Michael Kerlin, zookeeper and examiner for the animal care training program specializing in zoos. The practical exercises, such as the rescue of a Woma python during the training, provide firefighters with valuable experience in safely handling snakes, which can quickly become potentially dangerous.
For decades, Magdeburg Zoo has offered its professional expertise in the safe handling of exotic animals in various hazard classes to the fire departments of the state of Saxony-Anhalt.
Event tips (excerpt) at Magdeburg Zoo
- February 19, 2026: Culinary Winter Walk
- February 28, 2026: AFRICAMBO Evening with the Elephants
Press contact
Zoo Magdeburg – Press Officer
Dipl.-Ing. Regina Jembere
Tel.: 0391 / 28090-2510
E-Mail: zoopresse@zoo-magdeburg.de
Further information and images:
www.zoo-magdeburg.de/pressemeldungen