The Minnesota Zoo euthanized its last two musk oxen from a herd that started in Calgary because climate change made it too warm for the beasts..The zoo’s herd started in 1978 with two males from Calgary and two females from Winnipeg. Since then they have become one of the most successful breeding programs in North America, with 65 offspring..Zookeepers started to notice a decade ago warmer temperatures in the summer, along with humidity, were having in impact on the animals..The zoo decided to stop the breeding program at that point..Over the next 10 years, the herd shrunk until only two senior females remained. Both had a number of age-related challenges that became compounded by the spring and summer heat, so in April, the zoo decided to humanely euthanize the pair..Zookeeper Cindy Bjork-Groebner cared for animals for more than 30 years..“The minute I first saw them, I was drawn in. They were unique and impressive and I fell in love with the species,” said Bjork-Groebner, on the zoo’s website..“We saw firsthand just how much the seasons and temperature and humidity played a role in how they thrived or not..“You could tell they were thriving when the temperatures were colder and then the minute the heat and humidity hit, that’s when I really started watching and could notice changes.”.The zoo only announced the death on May 13..“First and foremost, the keepers know these animals more than they know some of their family members,” said Dr. Taylor Yaw, manager of the Zoo’s Animal Health department..“They are there each and every day and pick up on some of the smaller clinical signs that may indicate something may be going on..“We have a responsibility to these animals. When it comes to a point that we can’t manage clinical health issues, this is the most humane choice we can make.”.The animals are native to northern Canada and Greenland..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
The Minnesota Zoo euthanized its last two musk oxen from a herd that started in Calgary because climate change made it too warm for the beasts..The zoo’s herd started in 1978 with two males from Calgary and two females from Winnipeg. Since then they have become one of the most successful breeding programs in North America, with 65 offspring..Zookeepers started to notice a decade ago warmer temperatures in the summer, along with humidity, were having in impact on the animals..The zoo decided to stop the breeding program at that point..Over the next 10 years, the herd shrunk until only two senior females remained. Both had a number of age-related challenges that became compounded by the spring and summer heat, so in April, the zoo decided to humanely euthanize the pair..Zookeeper Cindy Bjork-Groebner cared for animals for more than 30 years..“The minute I first saw them, I was drawn in. They were unique and impressive and I fell in love with the species,” said Bjork-Groebner, on the zoo’s website..“We saw firsthand just how much the seasons and temperature and humidity played a role in how they thrived or not..“You could tell they were thriving when the temperatures were colder and then the minute the heat and humidity hit, that’s when I really started watching and could notice changes.”.The zoo only announced the death on May 13..“First and foremost, the keepers know these animals more than they know some of their family members,” said Dr. Taylor Yaw, manager of the Zoo’s Animal Health department..“They are there each and every day and pick up on some of the smaller clinical signs that may indicate something may be going on..“We have a responsibility to these animals. When it comes to a point that we can’t manage clinical health issues, this is the most humane choice we can make.”.The animals are native to northern Canada and Greenland..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.,dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com,.Twitter.com/nobby7694
