Child hurt falling into rhino exhibit at Florida zoo

MELBOURNE, Fla. (WOFL FOX 35) - Officials say a child has been injured after falling into the rhinoceros exhibit at a Florida zoo.

Brevard County Fire Rescue officials said on Twitter that the child was taken to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children in nearby Orlando on Tuesday afternoon. The mother was also taken to an Orlando hospital for treatment of injuries. The incident took place at the Brevard Zoo in Melbourne.

The zoo spokesperson said the girl fell into a small space between bars separating the public from the exhibit. One rhino appeared to react to the commotion and may have grazed the child with its snout. The extent of the child's injuries are unknown, but the zoo director said the injuries would have been from the stumble and not from the animal.

There are four white rhinos inside the exhibit, according to the zoo. No rhinos were tranquilized or injured in this incident.

The family declined interviews, but the girl's father released a statement, which read, "Today has been a trying day for our family. We're thankful to everyone who has reached out with their concerns. Our daughter is in good care at Arnold Palmer Hospital and is doing well. My wife was also treated for her injury and has been released from the hospital. At this time, we ask for privacy as we focus on our daughter's recovery."