Rabat zoo seeks answers on killer elephant

Experts at a zoo in the Moroccan capital of Rabat are trying to understand why an elephant tossed a stone in the direction of visitors, killing a seven-year-old girl.

A zoo veterinarian said on Friday that the behaviour of the female elephant was "abnormal" and needs to be understood.

The girl was visiting the Zoological Garden of Morocco with her family on Tuesday, admiring the three elephants when one of them searched for a stone, picked it up and tossed it more than 10 metres over a huge ditch and a wooden barrier toward the visitors.

The girl was struck in the head.

Veterinarian Abderahim Salhi said by telephone that zoo personnel were remained in shock, and the elephant exhibit has been temporarily closed to the public.