Zebra died after rhino punctured stomach, says zoo

A zebra died aft a rhino unintentionally punctured its stomach, Colchester Zoo said.

More details person been released by the zoo astir the incidental connected Friday, which occurred successful its mixed taxon African habitat.

Two rhinos – Astrid and her lad Tayo – were sparring with 1 another, described by the zoo arsenic "regular and earthy behaviour" for the species.

Astrid attempted to determination Ziggy the zebra retired of the way, but successful doing truthful Ziggy was injured and died a fewer minutes later.

In a connection connected its website, Colchester Zoo said Ziggy had lived happily with different taxon – including the rhino – successful the Kingdom of the Wild situation since 2017.

He was described by the zoo arsenic "a overmuch loved carnal who volition beryllium dearly missed".

Astrid – a confederate achromatic rhino - has fixed commencement to 2 calves astatine Colchester Zoo, including 1 successful January 2023.

The zoo said the sorts of incidents that occurred connected Friday were "extremely rare" and its Animal Care Team would "continue to intimately show the animals' behaviour successful the coming weeks".

In its statement, the zoo thanked supporters for their well-wishes, and said its squad had dealt with "this precise hard concern highly professionally".

The African situation - which was built successful 2001 - is location to reticulated giraffes, maneless zebras, achromatic rhinos, ostriches, crowned cranes and a greater kudu - a benignant of antelope.