Potter Park Zoo Heartbreak: Two Beloved Animals Lost This Week
Some sad news this week in Lansing as Potter Park Zoo suffers the loss of two animals within a week.
Black Rhino Dies at Potter Park Zoo
The most recent death was Doppsee, the endangered female black rhino. This announcement comes early Friday, August 29 after weeks of gastrointestinal health complications.
Potter Park is absolutely devastated at the lost. They had to make the tough decision "to euthanize Doppsee on Thursday after veterinary and animal care teams agreed that further treatment was not feasible or possible."
Doppsee was incredibly loved by zoo staff and patrons and will be incredibly missed. Doppsee was at Pooter Park Zoo for 14 years, and during that time she gave birth to the first black rhino born at the zoo in 2019.
She made such in impact, as there are only 50 black rhinos in AZA accredited zoos and approximately 5,000 black rhinos in the wild. They are incredibly endangered because they are illegally poached.
Potter Park Zoo Announces Death of Baby Red Panda
Another loss that Potter Park Zoo has tragically experienced recently is that of a baby red panda. The cub was born on July 5 and Potter Park zoo announced that the baby had passed on August 28.
The cub seemed to be nursing and gaining weight but became ill and rapidly declined before its sudden death. "Red panda offspring are very fragile with approximately a 40 percent neonatal mortality rate." A post-mortem is being conducted to help determine the cause of death, with the hope that it provides some knowledge on how to help other young red pandas to thrive.
Rest in peace to both these precious animals.
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Gallery Credit: Tony LaBrie