Lorne Jackson

1: Smokey (fatal attack)

1. 1991-01-12: curator Lorne Jackson fatal attack by Smokey. trampled and struck Jackson with its leg or Trunk. Lorne Gerald “Pop-Pop” Jackson Sr.† Lorne Jackson Died 1991-01-12, Oakland Zoo. Jackson, who suffered head and chest injuries, was pronounced dead less than an hour later. The trampling death of zookeeper Lorne Jackson by Smokey in 1991 led the Oakland Zoo to transfer their elephants to Protected Contact.

Lorne Jackson, 55, a supervisor who has worked at the city zoo for 25 years, was approached by three African elephants in the one-acre compound Saturday, zoo spokeswoman Martha Smith said.

Two witnesses said the largest animal, Smokey, who weighs 10,500 pounds, struck Jackson with its leg or Trunk, Smith said. Jackson, who suffered head and chest injuries, was pronounced dead less than an hour later.