Several reports confirm that a staff member at Bridgeport’s Beardsley Zoo was struck by lightning while maneuvering a chain-link fence during Tuesday’s thunderstorms. The employee experienced contact from the electrical discharge and, out of an abundance of caution, was transported to a local hospital for evaluation with no serious injuries reported. Zoo officials and local authorities stressed that safety of staff, guests, and animals is the highest priority and that weather safety protocols were being followed. The incident occurred as the region dealt with heavy rains, flooding, and a flash flood warning, with a tornado watch in effect for Fairfield County at the time. No further details have been released, but multiple outlets corroborated the zoo’s statements.