MELBOURNE, Fla. — A toddler who fell into the Brevard Zoo's rhinoceros exhibit earlier this month incurred a lacerated liver, bruised lung and a kidney injury after two "spooked" rhinos repeatedly pushed her against bars with their snouts, an incident report says.

• Toddler who fell into rhino exhibit had lacerated liver, kidney injury
• She slipped through bars and fell in during daily special tour with handlers
• 21-month-old, mom both hospitalized; girl spent several days in hospital
• PREVIOUSLY:
  • Father: Daughter 'Doing Well' After Falling Into Brevard Zoo's Rhino Enclosure
  • Child Falls into Brevard Zoo Rhino Exhibit
  • Brevard Zoo Making Rhino Exhibit Recommendations After Child Hurt

The report on the January 1 incident was released by investigators with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The 21-month-old girl also had contusions to her back, chest, abdomen and head, which her father and medical staff described as "rather severe," the report said.

According to investigators, the girl and her parents, all from Eustis, were visiting the zoo and were scheduled for the noon "Very Important Zoo Guest" tour, which brings people to a special encounter in the rhino exhibit that's not open to everyone and requires escorts by trained zoo staff.

There were three rhinos — a male and two females — and several zebras in the exhibit that day, the FWC report says.

About 10 minutes into the encounter, the girl fell through bars separating guests from the animals. The father reached in, grabbed the girl and lifted her up a little. The mother then also reached in. The motions of the child and parents "spooked" and "startled" the two female rhinos, which spun around and struck the child with their snouts repeatedly, pinning her against the bars, according to investigators.

The toddler was conscious and alert when she was pulled out about 10 seconds later.

The two animal handlers called the zoo base and then for an ambulance.

FWC investigators say the incident wasn't captured on surveillance cameras, but several pictures were taken.

In addition to the child's injuries, her mother had a severe left forearm contusion from the struggle. The toddler was airlifted to Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, where she remained for several days. The mother was treated at Orlando Regional Medical Center.

According to investigators, this was the first incident with the rhino encounter since it began in 2009 and the first incident the zoo has ever had with a "class I" animal. FWC defines class I animals as wildlife that can a significant danger to people and require experience for handling, specific cage requirements, and special permits.