A shark bite in Iowa? Here's how an aquarium employee got bit in West Des Moines

A shark bit an employee at a West Des Moines aquarium on Monday afternoon.

The Blue Zoo Aquarium euthanized the shark to release the shark's teeth from the employee's hand, according to a statement from the aquarium posted on Facebook .

The incident started when the 18-inch bamboo shark began to show signs of distress as a member of the Blue Zoo Aquarium's saltwater husbandry team was transporting it, according to the statement. In response, the husbandry leader immediately started resuscitation efforts to aid the shark. It was then moved to a larger tank for further assist as the bamboo shark began to recover.

But the shark became startled as it began to regain strength. It latched onto the skin of the husbandry team member's hand between her thumb and forefinger, according to the statement from Blue Zoo. The bamboo shark refused to release her hand despite the team's multiple attempts to open its mouth.

"The Bamboo Shark’s teeth, similar to small hooks, made it difficult," according to the statement.

The aquarium called paramedics, who also were unable to open the shark's mouth. This forced the team to euthanize the shark, according to the statement.

The Blue Zoo team member was taken to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries.

It is rare for bamboo sharks to harm humans, and it has never happened at the aquarium before, according to Blue Zoo's statement. In the future, the husbandry team will wear gloves when managing the sharks, which are relatively small, growing up to 37 inches long.

"Our team would appreciate all the prayers, good thoughts, and kind words as we navigate this heartbreaking time," according to the statement from Blue Zoo.

Blue Zoo opened in the Villages at Jordan Creek Town Center, 6925 Mills Civic Parkway, on May 21. The for-profit interactive aquarium geared toward children has all types of sea life saltwater or freshwater tanks and a tide pool. It has a "bird forest" with hundreds of parakeets, a reptile habitat with tortoises, lizards and frogs and a "Under Sea Sanctuary" that acts as a sensory room.

Guests can feed and pet stingrays and bamboo sharks in a shallow pool near a wet play area with a pirate ship and a bounce house.

Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @ Kkealey17 .

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: A shark bite in Iowa? Here's how an aquarium employee got bit in West Des Moines