54 rays die after malfunction at Brookfield Zoo

[JasonsPlecosCichlids]

BROOKFIELD, Ill. (WLS) --
Four southern stingrays and 50 cownose rays died at Brookfield Zoo after a malfunction caused oxygen levels in their habitat to drop, officials said.

Although the levels were returned to normal by on-scene veterinary and animal care staff following the incident, which occurred on July 10, the animals died as a result.

"We are devastated by the tragic loss of these animals," said Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of animal programs for the Chicago Zoological Society, in a statement. "Our staff did everything possible to try and save the animals, but the situation could not be reversed."

Officials say staff members are investigating the cause of the malfunction.

http://abc7chicago.com/news/54-rays-die-after-malfunction-at-brookfield-zoo/845404/

 

[tlindsey]

That really sucks.

 

[dallen2233]

You would think they would have some sort of back up plan/monitoring system for such a catastrophic failure.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

Who would ever expect that could happened to some high tech facility like that?
Possible it's human errors for sure and not typically equipment failure...*it's like blame the computer for any errors first rather than the user of that computer* LOL

 

[Thekid]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/...of-tank-at-brookfield-zoo-20150712-story.html

The zoo said the habitat's life-support system apparently malfunctioned around midday Friday. "They are taking it apart piece by piece to see what went wrong," said Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of animal programs for the Chicago Zoological Society, which operates the zoo.

A system that monitors the habitat's temperature, ozone and oxygen levels went off at about 1:45 p.m. Friday. A 24-hour manager was automatically alerted through his phone and responded to the exhibit, Zeigler said.

The manager was met at the tank by the zoo's veterinary staff and animal care unit. The staff noticed the stingrays were behaving oddly and began working to get the tank's oxygen levels back to normal, Zeigler said. They also closed the exhibit, escorting visitors from the area
An air bubbler that releases pure oxygen was added to the holding pool, followed by submerged air pumps to create a fountain effect. Lastly, a large oxygen pump was placed in the pool. Oxygen levels were restored in about 20 minutes from the alarm sounding, Zeigler said.

Despite the staff's efforts, four southern stingrays and 50 cow-nose rays died, the zoo said. All of the animals were born in captivity, said Zeigler.

Most of the deaths occurred between 3 and 4:30 p.m. Friday, but several died later in the evening, zoo officials said.

"We are devastated by the tragic loss of these animals," Zeigler said. "Our staff did everything possible to try and save the animals, but the situation could not be reversed.

The stingrays were in a saltwater shallow pool that allowed guests to touch and feed the animals. The oblong-shaped pool is about 80-by-26 feet long and three feet deep, Zeigler said.

The Chicago Zoological Society has decided to close the exhibit, which has been at the zoo since 2007, for the rest of the summer.

In 2008, the zoo lost 19 stingrays when a heater unit malfunctioned, spiking water temperatures up by about 10 degrees. Fourteen rays, eights sharks and three horseshoe crabs survived.

Such a shame seeing the places that I favorited in the summer when I lived there in shambles.
On a side note I was there in 2008 when they had to close the exhibit.

 

[Yuki Rihwa]

^^^wow, heater malfunctioned in 2008...it's ridiculous that they don't have auto shutoff when temp went out of range >.< it's just lame and shame for those consider professional working there!

 

[jlnguyen74]

Who would ever expect that could happened to some high tech facility like that?
Possible it's human errors for sure and not typically equipment failure...*it's like blame the computer for any errors first rather than the user of that computer* LOL

I once had my air pump connected to a back-up battery. The circuit on the back-up battery was tripped due to power surge, and it shut down, along with the air pump that was connected to it. Other equipment (filter return pump, heater, etc...), that were not connected to that back-up battery, were still running. Want to guess the loss?

 

[jlnguyen74]

^^^wow, heater malfunctioned in 2008...it's ridiculous that they don't have auto shutoff when temp went out of range >.< it's just lame and shame for those consider professional working there!

Did you even take time and read the quote from TheKid before you respond?

 

[L8braker]

Did you even take time and read the quote from TheKid before you respond?

I was wondering the same and re-read his post 3 times to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Curious as to the loss you had too? I am trying to devise a failsafe backup air stone/pump setup or power head for my tank but can't seem to find a fool proof setup yet.

 

[Aaroncboo1]

It's interesting that they said that the oxygen levels were restored in 20min but it was too late. Would of thought the size of the tank would of held enough oxygen to keep them alive a little longer than that. But there was 54 rays in there...so who knows.