A beloved ostrich has died after swallowing a zoo employee’s keys.
Employees at Topeka Zoo and Conservation Heart within the US mentioned they had been “devastated by the loss” of the five-year-old fowl named Karen.
She had reached over a fence to grab and swallow the employees member’s set of keys, the zoo mentioned.
Employees consulted with consultants across the US “to endure surgical and non-surgical efforts” in a bid to save lots of the ostrich however had no success.
Karen was euthanised on Thursday and “handed away in employees’s fingers”, mentioned Fawn Moser, the zoo’s interim director.
The zoo in Kansas mentioned there had been an investigation into the incident and it was “taking applicable actions concerning the crew member concerned”.
“We’re devastated by the lack of Karen,” Ms Moser mentioned.
“She was not simply an animal; she was a beloved member of our neighborhood. Our ideas are with our devoted animal care crew, who fashioned deep bonds with Karen throughout her time with us.”
The ostrich had been on the zoo since March 2023.
She was identified for her love of taking part in in water and “being our ‘dancing queen!'”, the zoo mentioned.
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The zoo mentioned it might assessment and improve security protocols for its animals.
Topeka Zoo and Conservation Heart is dwelling to greater than 300 animals, in keeping with its web site.