PITTSBURGH -- A handler died from injuries inflicted by a 3-ton elephant during a Monday morning walk at the Pittsburgh Zoo and PPG Aquarium.

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Zoo Worker Killed

The 6,200-pound female African elephant hit Mike Gatti with her head, knocked him down and pinned him to the ground shortly before 9 a.m., zoo officials said. Gatti, 46, of Butler, Pa., was taken to a local hospital, where he later died.

Dr. Barbara Baker, Zoo and Aquarium president, said Gatti and a custodian were leading the elephant and her calf on a daily morning walk when the elephant stopped.

Gatti, a handler with 15 years of experience, attempted to get the elephant moving, but it attacked him. Baker said the incident was unprovoked.

"For whatever reason, she became agitated and upset at what she was being requested to do," Baker said.

Police were called. Other handlers were able to get the elephants back to their holding area.

Officials said the elephant is in quarantine for the time being, but it will not be destroyed.

The zoo was not open to the public at the time of the attack. It remained closed all day.

Pittsburgh police homicide detectives, the United States Department of Agriculture and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration are investigating the incident.