Colchester Zoo zebra killed after rhino ‘punctured stomach’

Colchester Zoo zebra killed after rhino ‘punctured stomach’

 

Ziggy the Zebra was killed after rhino Astrid “unintentionally punctured its stomach”

 

COLCHESTER Zoo has said its male zebra died after a rhino “unintentionally punctured his stomach”.

 

 

The Maldon Road attraction was left “devastated” after the incident, that happened in the mixed species African habitat at about 2pm on Friday.

 

Now, the zoo has shared more information on the tragic incident.

 

Rhino Astrid and her son Tayo were sparring with one another in the enclosure, which is described as “regular and natural behaviour for this species”.

 

As Astrid attempted to move the zebra, now named as male Ziggy, out of the way, and in doing so “unintentionally punctured his stomach”.

Ziggy ” died of these injuries just “a few minutes later”, the zoo said.

 

A statement added: “In the light of these rare events, we review our care for the animals to minimise the risk of these incidents reoccurring.

 

“As a result, the Animal Care Team will continue to closely monitor the animals behaviour in the coming weeks.

 

“These sorts of incidents are extremely rare and we are devastated by this loss, Ziggy was a much-loved animal who will be dearly missed.

 

“We would really like to thank our supporters for the well wishes at this difficult time and thank our fantastic Animal Care Team who dealt with this very difficult situation extremely professionally.”

 

Ziggy arrived at Colchester Zoo’s African habitat in November 2017, where he had “lived happily with the other species, including the rhino”.

 

Astrid the rhino gave birth to a calf at the beginning of 2023, one of two calves it has had at the site.

 

The Kingdom of the Wild habitat, which opened in 2002, is home to a range of different African species including zebra, giraffe, ostrich and rhinos.

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