An unfortunate incident occurred at Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, when a sitatunga antelope named Leif passed away after choking on a prohibited food item. The 8-year-old antelope died over the weekend after ingesting a container of squeezable applesauce. Owner David Bright expressed his sadness over the loss of Leif, who was the only male sitatunga at the zoo and was known for being people-friendly. Despite immediate efforts by staff and a veterinarian, it was too late to save Leif’s life.
Following Leif’s passing, a burial was held, and Bright emphasized the importance of following zoo guidelines, such as refraining from bringing outside food into the facility. Bright reminded visitors that there are designated picnic areas for snacking purposes. Additionally, he mentioned that guests with medical conditions requiring emergency snacks can have their food held at the zoo’s air-conditioned ticket booth. The zoo staff are available to assist those in need.
Bright’s Zoo’s social media post stressed the importance of not bringing squeezable pouches into the zoo, as these items pose a threat to the animals. Despite efforts to prevent prohibited items from entering the zoo, some guests still manage to sneak them in. Guests are encouraged to enjoy snacks in designated areas outside the zoo premises to ensure the safety of the animals.
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