delidog
01-14-2003, 07:34 PM
Red Panda Deaths at National Zoo Probed
WASHINGTON (AP) - A panel of experts will look at the deaths of two red pandas at the National Zoo.
The pandas died after rat poison pellets were buried in their yard. This was the first time the zoo had used the pellets, which emit toxic fumes, in an animal exhibit. The pellets had been used in open areas of the zoo.
A preliminary necropsy - an animal autopsy - found no ``definite or clear indication of a connection'' between the pellets and the pandas' deaths, but detailed tests are planned, zoo spokesman Robert Hoage said.
The panel will consist of some Smithsonian Institution experts, as well as people from outside the organization.
The endangered animals were found dead in their yard less than 24 hours after the pellets were buried.
Three zoo employees who went inside the animals' yard experienced headaches, nausea and diarrhea and were treated at a hospital and released.
Red pandas are unrelated to the popular Chinese giant pandas.
On the Net:
National Zoo: http://natzoo.si.edu/
I just saw this......How terrible...we were there and saw them last March!!!!!
Just breaks my heart!!
I just don't know how this could have happened!!!
01
:( :confused: :( :confused: :(
WASHINGTON (AP) - A panel of experts will look at the deaths of two red pandas at the National Zoo.
The pandas died after rat poison pellets were buried in their yard. This was the first time the zoo had used the pellets, which emit toxic fumes, in an animal exhibit. The pellets had been used in open areas of the zoo.
A preliminary necropsy - an animal autopsy - found no ``definite or clear indication of a connection'' between the pellets and the pandas' deaths, but detailed tests are planned, zoo spokesman Robert Hoage said.
The panel will consist of some Smithsonian Institution experts, as well as people from outside the organization.
The endangered animals were found dead in their yard less than 24 hours after the pellets were buried.
Three zoo employees who went inside the animals' yard experienced headaches, nausea and diarrhea and were treated at a hospital and released.
Red pandas are unrelated to the popular Chinese giant pandas.
On the Net:
National Zoo: http://natzoo.si.edu/
I just saw this......How terrible...we were there and saw them last March!!!!!
Just breaks my heart!!
I just don't know how this could have happened!!!
01
:( :confused: :( :confused: :(