Five Meerkats Die After Exposed to Toxin at Philadelphia Zoo
Incident Date:
06/14/2023
Location:
Philadelphia, PA - USA
Facility Name:
Philadelphia Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Meerkat
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
Five meerkats died at the Philadelphia Zoo recently after they were exposed to an unknown toxin from a dye routinely used to identify them. The zoo has used the topical agricultural dye called Nyanzol-D for over 30 years, said Rachel Metz, the zoo’s vice president of animal well-being.
The dye is used on other animals at the zoo. The zoo has been conducting an investigation in hopes of finding out what caused the animals’ deaths. The zoo has suspended use of the dye until officials find out what happened to the meerkats. Necropsy results are pending.
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