Colchester Zoo's zebra dies after incident with rhino

A zebra has died at a zoo after an incident involving a rhinoceros, a spokesman mentioned.

Colchester Zoo mentioned the incident occurred at about 14:00 GMT within the mixed-species African habitat between a male rhinoceros and a male zebra.

“Incidents like this are extremely rare and we will continue to monitor the situation over the next few days,” the spokesperson mentioned.

“We are devastated by this loss and thank you for your understanding and support at this time.”

The zoo mentioned it’s “directing its resources” to make sure that the remaining animals within the habitat are resettled.

One individual writing on Facebook mentioned they have been on the zoo on the time and noticed rhinos and zebras chasing us as we went in.

He mentioned he was advised to get out “having no idea what had happened”.

“The staff were amazing and worked very professionally even in such terrible circumstances,” he mentioned.

The African habitat – which was inbuilt 2001 – is house to reticulated giraffe, maned zebra, white rhinoceros, ostrich, topped crane and higher kudu.

Colchester is house to the almost endangered southern white rhinoceros and the attraction says seven calves have been born because the species first arrived in 1972.

In March 2024, White rhinoceros Otto died within the zoo,

Otto sired six calves, together with Dara – its most up-to-date offspring – born in January 2023.

Last yr, the zoo revealed multimillion-pound plans to construct a new african lion habitat,

Colchester Zoo opened in 1963 and celebrated its sixtieth anniversary in 2023.