Dr. Kris Brickman, medical director of the Emergency Department at the University of Toledo Medical Center, offered an update on the condition of Don RedFox, The Toledo Zoo’s elephant manager, who was injured during an interaction with Louie, the Zoo’s 7-year-old male African elephant.

According to Dr. Brickman, RedFox is in critical but stable condition.

Dr. Brickman said that RedFox suffered pulmonary contusions due to the compression injuries he sustained. He remains in intensive care and is on a ventilator. In addition, RedFox is being purposely and heavily sedated in order to make him as comfortable and pain-free as possible and help him heal.

The lung injuries RedFox sustained were life-threatening, although he did not suffer any significant head injuries. If everything goes according to plan, Dr. Brickman said, it is believed that RedFox will make a full recovery following a long course of ongoing care.

“Our primary focus going forward will be on Mr. RedFox’s care and recovery,” Dr. Brickman said. He also praised The Toledo Zoo staff’s response to the incident. “Their quick response helped ensure that the injury to Mr. RedFox’s lungs could be seen to before they became even more serious.”

Because he is under heavy sedation and is on a ventilator, RedFox is unable to communicate at this time. Zoo officials are hopeful that when he is able to communicate, he will be able to offer insight into the events that led up to the incident on July 1. In the meantime, Dr. Anne Baker, the Zoo’s Executive Director, expressed the RedFox family’s appreciation for the outpouring of support that they have received, as well as the many well wishes from colleagues around the country.

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