Risk profiling of zoo and aquaria accidents: a historical and contextual analysis of severity by species and human factors

Accidents involving humans and captive wildlife in zoos and aquariums represent critical intersections of animal behavior, human roles, and environmental context. Despite the global scale of zoological institutions, systematic quantitative analyses of such incidents remain limited. In this study we conducted a retrospective descriptive analysis of 1,047 documented human-animal accidents occurring in zoos, parks, and aquaria worldwide from 1815 to the present. Each accident was classified by species involved, habitat type, human role, behavioral context, and injuries severity using a five-level ordinal scale. Using ordinal regression models, we examined associations between these variables and injury severity. Most recorded incidents resulted in low-severity outcomes; however, clear patterns emerged at higher severity levels. Accident severity differed significantly by species, habitat, human role, and contextual classification. Terrestrial settings accounted for the majority of incidents, while marine environments were associated with lower overall frequency but distinct severity profiles among staff-related encounters. Large-bodied terrestrial mammals, including elephants and large carnivores, showed higher predicted probabilities of severe outcomes. Staff members were involved in most incidents, reflecting occupational exposure, while visitor accidents—particularly involving intruders or children—were disproportionately represented among high-severity cases. By examining accidents as outcomes of specific behavior and interaction context, these findings highlight how species- and environment-specific severity patterns may reflect the behavioral demands placed on animals within the management systems of zoos, parks, and aquaria. Thus, the resulting database offers value not only for risk mitigation, but also for ethology-based welfare assessment and informed institutional reflection on the life conditions of exotic animals under human care.