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Shocking Death of Rare Antelope at Tennessee Zoo After Choking On Trash

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The sitatunga or marshbuck (Tragelaphus spekii) antelope

A rare male sitatunga, an antelope species native to Africa, tragically died at Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, after choking on a discarded applesauce pouch. The incident, which occurred over the weekend, has prompted the zoo to issue a stern warning to visitors against bringing food items into the park.

Source: News 5 WCYB/YouTube

Lief, the sitatunga, met his untimely end when he mistakenly ingested a squeezable applesauce pouch that had been illegally introduced into his exhibit. Zoo officials discovered the animal in distress and despite the efforts of veterinarians to clear the obstruction, Lief succumbed during the procedure.

Located approximately 80 miles northeast of Knoxville, Brights Zoo is a family-owned establishment that houses a variety of species, including some endangered such as the addax and scimitar-horned oryx. Following the incident, the zoo has reiterated its policy of conducting regular bag searches at entrances to prevent such occurrences. However, as noted in their recent social media post, some items still find their way past security checks.

In response to the tragedy, David Bright, the zoo owner, expressed his sorrow, noting that Lief had been with the zoo since he was one year old and “still had a lot of life to live.” The zoo’s social media platforms have been flooded with messages of condolence and outrage over the preventable loss.

Sitatungas are known for their aquatic habits, often found in swampy areas where they can swim freely. They have a lifespan of approximately two decades under zoo care and feed primarily on vegetation. In light of this incident, Brights Zoo has encouraged visitors to utilize designated picnic areas outside the zoo premises for consuming food and drinks to ensure the safety of all zoo inhabitants.

This heartbreaking event highlights the dangers of littering trash and the direct impact human actions can have on wildlife, even in controlled environments like zoos. Brights Zoo is committed to preventing future incidents and continues to educate its visitors on the proper guidelines to protect its animal prisoners.