A tragic incident occurred at Bright Zoo in Tennessee over the weekend as a rare Sitatunga antelope named Leif died after choking on a plastic cap from a squeezable pouch. The zookeeper noticed the animal acting oddly with fluid leaking from its mouth and called in the veterinarian team to try and dislodge the cap, but unfortunately, they were unable to do so in time. The privately owned zoo does not allow squeezable pouches and conducts bag checks for visitors due to the danger they pose to the animals.
Since Leif’s death, the zoo director, David Bright, has been urging anyone with information about how the cap ended up in the enclosure to come forward and take responsibility. Leif was known for his calm demeanor and was a favorite among zookeepers. His mate has been seen wandering around, bewildered at his absence. The antelope was only 7 years old and would have turned 8 on July 30, with a potential lifespan of 20-21 years.
Bright Zoo is home to various exotic animals such as addax, bongo, and scimitar oryx in addition to the Sitatunga antelope. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper waste disposal and the impact of plastic pollution on wildlife. The zoo is mourning the loss of Leif and taking steps to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
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