Stingrays Die: Chicago Zoo Tank Malfunction Kills 54 More Rays

Another 54 stingrays died at the Brookfield Zoo Stingray Bay in Illinois after a malfunction in the habitat led to a plunge in the oxygen level inside the animals' tank. Nineteen rays died there in 2008.

Bill Zeigler, senior vice president of animal programs for the Chicago Zoological Society, told the Chicago Tribune that a manager responded to the stingray tank once Friday's malfunction was discovered while the staff worked to get the oxygen levels back up. The entire population of 54 stingrays ultimately died in the habitat.

Zoo officials said that although the veterinary staff provided medical treatment to the stingrays when the oxygen levels were immediately readjusted, none of the stingrays recovered, according to NBC Chicago.



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

The Tribune also noted that the zoo lost 19 stingrays when a heater unit malfunctioned and spiked water temperatures up by about 10 degrees in 2008.

"It's just an incredibly unfortunate accident," Zeigler told the Chicago Sun-Times. "The staff worked extremely hard, even some of our mammal keepers were in the water. Everyone is very bummed out about the whole thing."

Zoo officials told NBC Chicago that they are still investigating why the habitat malfunctioned and said that the Chicago Zoological Society will close the exhibit temporarily for the rest of the season.

Brittany Peet, the deputy director of captive animal law enforcement for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), criticized the Brookfield Zoo's stingray exhibit habitats, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.

"At this point, 70 animals have died at the Brookfield Zoo as a result of malfunctions with their tank and it's time for them to close down their tank for good," Peet told the Sun-Times. "Their lives are worth more than the cheap thrill of touching one of these animals . . . Seeing wild animals in captivity teaches people nothing about the true nature of these animals. These are animals that live in the ocean and travel long distances.”

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