More Than 50 Stingrays Die At Brookfield Zoo After Oxygen Level Drops In Habitat
(CBS) -- The Brookfield Zoo is mourning the loss of four southern sting rays and 50 cownose rays after a drop in the oxygen level at the the zoo's Stingray Bay habitat on Friday, the zoo said in a press release.
The zoo says veterinary staff responded promptly with medical treatment to the rays and to get the oxygen levels back to normal, but all of the animals succumbed to their injuries.
"We are devastated by the tragic loss of these animals," said Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of animal programs for the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the zoo. "Our staff did everything possible to try and save the animals, but the situation could not be reversed."
The zoo is investigating the life support systems to find out the cause of the malfunction.
The exhibit, which has been operating since 2007, will not reopen for the remainder of the season.