Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium held a press conference on Monday to discuss the recent deaths of multiple animals in their care. Dr. Jeremy Goodman, the zoo’s president and CEO, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of five animals, addressing how the zoo staff is coping with these heartbreaking events.
During the conference, Goodman emphasized that the zoo typically experiences 15-25 deaths per year but noted that the recent deaths have been particularly challenging for the staff. He spoke about the importance of supporting the well-being of the employees during this difficult time.
Acknowledging that sharing news of animal deaths is a new experience for the zoo, Goodman highlighted the importance of transparency in communicating the circumstances surrounding each animal’s passing. He compared the cycle of life in a zoo to human experiences, where joy and celebration are often accompanied by grief and loss.
The zoo recently mourned the loss of several beloved animals, including Seahawk, an 18-year-old sea lion who passed away after displaying unusual behavior. Additionally, a two-year-old elephant named Tsuni succumbed to elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus, a challenging disease that affects elephants in both captivity and the wild.
In February, the zoo announced the death of Mrithi, their first Silverback Western Lowland Gorilla, who died during a medical procedure. The losses continued with the passing of a nine-year-old red panda named Kovu and a six-year-old male African lion named Kit, both due to different health complications.
As the zoo community continues to mourn these losses, they have provided grief counseling for the staff to support them through this emotional period. The Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium remains committed to transparency and ensuring the well-being of their animals and employees during this challenging time.