A zebra has died at a zoo in Essex after an “incident” with a rhino in a mixed species enclosure.
In posts on social media, Colchester Zoo said its male zebra had “sadly” died, adding: “These sorts of incidents are extremely rare.”
“At this time we are directing our resources to make sure the rest of the animals in the habitat are settled,” the post read.
“We are devastated by this loss and thank you for your understanding and support at this time.”
The zoo said it will “continue to monitor the situation over the next few days”.
In the comments, some users claimed to have witnessed what happened.
“I was there and I feel so bad for everyone,” one person wrote on Instagram. “It was heart-breaking. The keepers did a great job handling it.”
Another said: “We knew it had to be something serious, however every member of staff handled it so well, especially now looking back knowing the circumstances.”
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The two animals were kept in the zoo’s ‘Kingdom of the Wild’ enclosure, which is also home to animals and birds, including an African crowned crane, an ostrich, a greater kudu and a reticulated giraffe.
The habitat was completed in 2001 and is comprised of an indoor building and outdoor paddock, according to the zoo’s website.
Its rhinos are the near-threatened southern white species and since the first ones arrived in 1972, seven calves have been born at the popular tourist attraction.
