Denver Zoo officials have revealed that the deaths of two Malayan tapirs, JonHi and Rinny, were caused by an incorrect dose of copper. The Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance made the announcement on Jan. 16, stating that the two tapirs passed away due to the effects of copper, a necessary dietary supplement for the species.
After discovering low levels of copper in JonHi and Rinny’s systems, zoo staff administered the mineral as a supplement. Unfortunately, this decision led to the tragic outcome. The zoo has since implemented corrective measures, including a thorough review of dietary supplements to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Malayan tapir is an endangered species, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. When healthy, these black-and-white creatures can live for up to 30 years.
The zoo expressed deep sorrow over the loss of JonHi and Rinny, emphasizing that animal welfare is their top priority. They are using this incident as an opportunity to enhance internal protocols and prevent such tragedies from occurring again.
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