KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Zoo Knoxville said Friday that a 3-year-old Hartmann's mountain zebra died earlier in the week after bolting into an off-exhibit corral.
Mosi was born at Zoo Knoxville in December 2020, and according to a release from the zoo, Mosi had run into a corral on Feb. 7 that had a buffer area only accessible by staff. The zoo said it was investigating the incident to determine what led up to Mosi's death and how zookeepers could mitigate risks in the future.
The release said staff and a veterinary team immediately responded after the incident but said Mosi had died instantly. It also said a necropsy was performed at the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine and confirmed the zebra died of a broken neck.
“Zebra have a very strong flight instinct,” said Dr. Andrew Cushing, UTCVM clinical associate professor and specialist in zoological medicine. “Unfortunately, that instinct can set them in motion before they know where they are going."
He said the zoo is working to make the habitat as suitable for zebra as possible, such as using shade cloth over fences and implementing visual barriers. It also removed poles and similar obstacles to prevent the risk of zebra running into objects.
"Unfortunately, you can’t anticipate every possible scenario," he said.
Three other zebras died at Zoo Knoxville ever since 2021. That year, Wiley died after running into a fence. Lydia, another zebra, died in April 2023 after also running into a fence. In October 2023, another zebra died from complications related to a twisted small intestine.
Phil Colclough, the director of animal care, conservation and education at Zoo Knoxville also said staff plan habitats and husbandry routines according to the "temperament and constitution" of every animal.
"Despite all our deliberateness and precaution, a tragic accident can occur in a split-second and it is heartbreaking. This is a very difficult loss and we ask that you please extend your kindness to our staff who cared for Mosi," he said.
