GRAND RAPIDS (WWJ) - A new marsh-dwelling antelope was killed at a Grand Rapids zoo on Tuesday after a pygmy hippo attacked it during a controlled introduction by zoo officials.
The John Ball Zoo said in a social media update that their male sitatunga, Chopper, was planned to be a part of a new multi-species habitat featuring pygmy hippos.
Pigmy hippos and sitatunga call home many of the same waterways in their native Africa, but a physical meeting between the two captive animals this week turned deadly.
"After successful visual introductions between Chopper and the pygmy hippo throughout the last month, trained animal care staff were attempting a controlled introduction of our pygmy hippo with Chopper inside their habitat when the pygmy hippo suddenly attacked Chopper," officials said in a statement.
The zoo immediately separated the animals and provided emergency care to resuscitate Chopper, but they were unsuccessful.
"The Zoo has successfully introduced species many times, and our staff was thoroughly prepared for this introduction," the statement continued. "This sad incident reminds us that despite enormous cautionary measures taken by Zoo staff over the last several weeks, the behavior of wild animals can be unpredictable."
Officials said a full review of the fatal encounter is currently ongoing.
Chopper was a beloved addition to the zoo, representatives stated. The antelope was born June 25, 2016 at Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. He spent some time in San Diego Zoo Safari Park before coming to Grand Rapids.
Sitatungas reside in swampy, marshy habitats in the wild. Officials had just introduced Chopper on Facebook. According to officials, the antelope has pointed toes that allow him to walk "slowly and almost noiselessly" through water.
"Sitatungas are also great swimmers," officials stated. "They can travel for several miles!"
The pygmy hippo involved in the attack, nine-year-old Jahari, was also new to zoo in March of this year. Jahari was born as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival Plan in August 2014 at the Louisville Zoological Garden. He later became a star resident at the Pittsburgh Zoo and Aquarium where he lived for many years.
As part of the AZA's plan, Jahari relocated to the John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids on March 9 to prepare for future breeding opportunities.
Pygmy hippos are found in West Africa and are endangered at a "somewhat higher threat level than that of their larger common hippo relatives," the Pittsburg Zoo said.
They have a lifespan of 30-50 years in captivity and get up to 400 to 600 lb. It is estimate that there are less than 3,000 left in the wild.
"At John Ball Zoo, providing world-class care for our animals is our number one priority, and we are deeply saddened by the loss of Chopper, who was loved by all the staff that cared for him and who are today grieving this loss,"
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