Topeka Zoo mourns tragic passing of Karen the ostrich

TOPEKA ( KSNT ) – A beloved ostrich at the Topeka Zoo has tragically passed away.

On Friday, the Topeka Zoo announced that Karen, a community favorite, had died from complications after consuming a foreign object. Karen was a resident of the Giraffe & Friends exhibit since its opening in March 2023.

According to the Zoo, Karen reached past her fence and grabbed keys from a staff member. Karen then swallowed the keys. After consulting with experts nationwide and performing surgical and non-surgical operations, none of the efforts succeeded.

“We are devastated by the loss of Karen,” expressed Fawn Moser, Interim Director of the Topeka Zoo. “She was not just an animal; she was a beloved member of our community. Our thoughts are with our dedicated animal care team, who formed deep bonds with Karen during her time with us.”

The zoo investigated the incident and is considering action with the team member. The zoo said it will be reviewing and enhancing its protocol.

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