A shocking incident at Colchester Zoo left a zebra dead after a rhino attack
Colchester: A zebra tragically lost its life at Colchester Zoo after a rhino attacked it. The zoo’s African enclosure, designed to mimic natural habitats, had to be cleared of visitors following the shocking event.
As tensions flared between the animals, staff quickly asked visitors to leave. Many were confused about what was happening as they were ushered away from the scene.
In a statement, Colchester Zoo said, “At around 2pm on Friday, January 10, there was an incident in our mixed-species African habitat involving a rhino and our male zebra, which sadly resulted in the zebra’s death. We are focusing on ensuring the other animals are calm and settled.”
They added, “Such incidents are very rare, and we will keep a close eye on the situation in the coming days. We are heartbroken by this loss and appreciate your understanding.”
Interestingly, the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria notes that white rhinos and male zebras can be a risky mix. Their guidelines mention that certain species, including zebra stallions, can cause problems in mixed exhibits. The specific type of rhino involved in this incident hasn’t been confirmed yet.
The Kingdom of Wildlife enclosure opened in 2001, aiming to create a space that reflects the animals’ natural environments. Colchester Zoo’s website highlights that this area allows visitors to see various animals interacting as they would in the wild.
Visitors who were evacuated shared their experiences on social media. One person wrote, “So sad to hear this. We were at the zoo today and just saw the rhinos and zebras before being asked to leave. The staff handled it all so well under such tough circumstances.”
Another visitor mentioned, “I was there with my daughter and grandson just half an hour before it happened! One rhino seemed really agitated. Thank goodness my grandson didn’t see it! It’s so sad for everyone involved.”
Zoo staff are reportedly devastated by the events that unfolded.
