Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium recently held a press conference to address the recent deaths of several animals and how the zoo staff is coping with these losses. With an average of 15-25 animal deaths annually, the Pittsburgh zoo has recently mourned the loss of five animals.
Zoo president and CEO, Dr. Jeremy Goodman, expressed the profound sadness felt by the staff during this difficult time. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing the well-being of the zoo’s employees amidst these tragedies. The zoo provided grief counselors to support staff members in processing their emotions.
Dr. Goodman emphasized that the experience of loss at the zoo mirrors that of human life, with celebrations of life’s milestones and grief for those who pass away. He acknowledged the novelty of openly sharing the details of animal deaths and tragedies with the media and the public, highlighting the importance of transparency in such circumstances.
Among the recent animal deaths at the Pittsburgh Zoo, Seahawk, a beloved 18-year-old sea lion, passed away after displaying concerning behavior and refusing to eat. Additionally, the zoo mourned the loss of Tsuni, a two-year-old elephant who succumbed to elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus.
In another heartbreaking loss, the zoo announced the death of Mrithi, a Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla, during a procedure to determine the cause of his symptoms. Kovu, a nine-year-old red panda, also passed away, along with Kit, a six-year-old male African Lion who suffered from a blockage in his digestive system.
The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium is grieving the loss of these beloved animals, and our thoughts are with the dedicated staff during this challenging time.