Utah's Hogle Zoo investigates death of zebras

SALT LAKE CITY — Hogle Zoo has a true mystery on its hands — the sudden and unexpected deaths of its two zebras on consecutive days this week.

One of the zebras, Taji, was found dead Tuesday morning, and the second zebra, Monty, showed signs of distress and was euthanized late Wednesday afternoon.

"We have already begun actively and intensively investigating this issue," said Nancy Carpenter, the zoo's associate director of animal health. "We will pursue every avenue for the answer to these sudden and puzzling deaths. ... They were mature but not old."

She said both animals had suffered nosebleeds and possibly blunt force trauma. "Very suspicious and odd" is how she describes the mysterious deaths.

With snow on the ground, there was no trace of a human intruder or any predator animal getting in their enclosure at the extreme west end of the zoo, in what is called the "Upper Savannah."

She also said no particular disease seems to explain the two deaths.

Well-known for their bright stripes, these two male Grevy's zebras were the zoo's only such animals. They first went on display at Hogle Zoo in 1998. They came to Utah from Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas, and their appearance was a Utah zoo milestone — the first time endangered African animals had ever been exhibited at Hogle Zoo.

Both zebras were no more than 15 years old.

Hogle Zoo is consulting with other experts in the field and has also invited the U.S. Department of Agriculture to participate in the investigation. The cause of the deaths may not be determined until toxicology and pathology results have been returned.

The first zebra died without having previously shown any signs of illness. An autopsy was performed the day the zebra died, and Hogle Zoo's veterinary staff found no obvious cause of death.

On Wednesday morning, the second zebra was discovered inside his barn showing signs of distress. Hogle Zoo staff and vets immediately responded and began efforts to treat the zebra's condition. After working tirelessly all day to save him, zoo staff decided to euthanize him late Wednesday afternoon.

The zebras were active and playful and a favorite among zoo guests and staff alike, according to zoo spokeswoman Holly Braithwaite.

Taji was born in 1995, and Monty was born in 1997.