Zoo euthanizes last ostrich in African Savanna

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The Woodland Park Zoo no longer has ostriches in the African Savanna exhibit.

Ozzie the ostrich, shown in forefront, courtesy Dennis Dow.

This week, Ozzie the 12-year-old male ostrich was euthanized after an apparent fall into a water tub in the African Savanna. Although veterinary staff tried to stabilize him and treat his injuries, the ostrich was in obvious pain. “The bird progressively declined and euthanasia was the most humane option for this 250-pound patient,” said Dr. Darin Collins, director of Woodland Park Zoo’s Animal Health. Preliminary necropsy findings confirmed leg and head trauma with extensive soft tissue muscle damage.

The female ostrich in the exhibit was euthanized less than two weeks ago after a critical leg injury during a diagnostic medical procedure to treat a chronic fungal infection. According to the zoo, a post-mortem examination confirmed a pelvic bone fracture and a life-threatening systemic infection of the reproductive tract.

The zoo is looking into options but has no immediate plans to replace the ostriches.

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11 thoughts to “Zoo euthanizes last ostrich in African Savanna”

  1. Two ostriches dead in two weeks. Sounds like some really bad luck or real incompetence on the part of zoo staff on how to care for these creatures. It’s a real shame.

  3. “Sounds like some really bad luck or real incompetence on the part of zoo staff on how to care for these creature”

    Yes, because in nature two animals of the same species living in the same environment never die in the same week. I mean, it NEVER happens.

    Also, in the wild, all the animals live happy, content, stress-free, disease-free lives with great medical care, lots of hugs and die of old age.

  5. “they don’t have water tubs to fall into out on the Savannah, either”

    But surely they have a croc-infested watering hole to relax by on the savanna?

  6. I don’t know who the governing organization of zoos is, but when is someone going to look into these multiple deaths at WPZ? It seems like negligence on their part that is leading to these terrible outcomes.

  8. there should be an investigation. at the very least, examine that tub of water the poor creature fell in. believe it or not, us humans don’t always know how to take care of things.

  9. I used to work at Animal Health at WPZ. All of your guesses as to the cause of the deaths is not the way to get or spread information. Why not ask Animal Health? Ask to talk to Dr. Darin Collins, the head vet.

  10. “Why not ask Animal Health? Ask to talk to Dr. Darin Collins, the head vet.”

    Because when you’re a animal liberation loon, facts are irrelevant.

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