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Amid Wildfires, Zoo Animal Rescues

Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News

Photos

Made It Through

Oct. 26, 2007 -- As firefighters at last gain control of what may be one of the worst series of fires in U.S. history, more information is coming to light about wildlife that was lost or impacted by this week's Southern California tragedy.

While many animals housed at San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park were saved, two perished as a result of the blazes. Post-mortem analysis has yet to reveal the precise causes of death, but keepers believe they were due to evacuation-related stress.

The first victim was a rare clapper rail bird that was only one of two breeding females at the park. Destruction of coastal marshland habitat has drastically reduced numbers of this bird, so researchers were hopeful this female could help in repopulation efforts. Last year, her chicks were successfully released into the wild.

The second loss at the park was a Kiang, a wild member of the horse family. This male was also of breeding age. Among the least studied animals in the world, the Kiang is also rare.

"Very few zoos have this species in their collections," San Diego Zoo spokesperson Yadira Galindo told Discovery News. "The deaths of both of these animals represent a tremendous loss for us."

An evacuated condor pen at the Wild Animal Park was also destroyed and more than 600 acres at the park burned.

"A true miracle saved the cheetah and wild dhole (a type of wild dog) breeding complexes," Galindo said.

She explained that park staff directly battled the blaze. Workers who normally maintain the facility's vehicles initiated a heroic effort. Individuals went in circles, continuously watering down the complexes, which were full of animals.

Due to their efforts, and the course of the fire, "it burnt down right in the middle of these two complexes" saving the animals and the structures, she said.

At the San Diego Zoo itself, primates, birds and other animals particularly sensitive to smoke inhalation are under close watch by vets. The primates now have continual access to their climate-controlled bedrooms.

While the Los Angeles Zoo was not directly damaged by the fires, general curator Michael Dee informed Discovery News that animals there are also under watch due to poor air conditions.