Over the weekend, a rare antelope died after choking on a plastic cap from a squeezable pouch at Tennessee’s Bright Zoo.
Leif, a Sitatunga antelope, was in his enclosure on Saturday when a zookeeper did a normal check and observed the animal was “acting odd,” according to zoo director David Bright. Fluid was seeping from the antelope’s mouth, and the keeper promptly summoned a veterinarian team to remove the plastic cover.
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However, “The team couldn’t do it in time,” Bright admitted.
According to Bright, the privately operated zoo, which specializes in exotic animals, conducts bag checks for guests because it does not allow squeezable pouches or other goods.
“The reason is simple: the packaging is harmful to our animals,” the zoo wrote on its social media page. “From an animal’s perspective, these lids resemble food. This is what compelled us to do bag searches, although some people still find ways to get them in. Guests can return to their cars or picnic areas in our parking lot as many times as they want and re-enter the zoo.”
Bright stated that since Leif’s death became public, people have been mainly supportive, but no one has come forward with information regarding how the cap ended up in the cage.
“I would respect the person more if they came forward and took responsibility,” Bright said, adding that not knowing what happened or who did it exacerbates the situation.
There was no other way the cap could have landed inside the enclosure housing Leif, his female mate, and numerous other animals, according to Bright.
The juvenile antelope was known for his peaceful attitude, and zookeepers used to joke that he “liked to be in your pocket,” according to Bright. During feeding time, he would follow the keepers around and allow them to touch him. Bright noted this contrasted with the shy and frightened other fauna.
Bright added that since Leif died, his mate has been traveling around looking for him, perplexed by his absence. Bright claimed the antelope was 7 years old and would turn 8 on July 30. The antelope may have lived to be 20 or 21 years old, and Bright said he had “plenty of life in him yet.”
In addition to the Sitatunga antelope, which lives in swamps and is recognizable by its large splayed hooves, the zoo has an addax, bongo, and scimitar oryx.
