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LIMESTONE, Tenn. (WJHL) — A Sitatunga Antelope at Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee died on Saturday after choking on food packaging that is prohibited from the facility, according to owner David Bright.
Bright told News Channel 11 that the antelope was named Leif and he was eight years old with a long life left to live. Bright said Leif died over the weekend after choking on a container of squeezable applesauce.
“It was our only male Sitatunga we had here at the zoo,” Bright said. “He was also a very people-curious animal. So when guests were in that area, he would come up towards the fence, check people out. He had no fear of humans. So [if] somebody was to hand him something or toss him something, he would assume that was a safe object.”
Bright said the antelope began experiencing complications on Saturday, which led staff to call a vet, but it was too late.
“We noticed he was in distress. Keepers got ahold of a vet; we had a vet out here within 20 minutes. The vet did everything they could to, you know, try to move that object out of the throat and was unsuccessful. [Leif] ended up losing his life.”
A burial was held for Leif after his passing, according to Bright.
He said he and his staff are heartbroken, and they hope this serves as a reminder to Brights Zoo guests that outside food is prohibited for a reason, and there are picnic areas designated for snacking purposes.
Bright reminded guests to never throw food items into any animal enclosures, as each animal is on a strict species-specific diet.
He said his staff are happy to hold any food brought to the zoo in their air-conditioned ticket booth, especially for those with medical conditions that warrant the need for emergency snacks. Those guests are encouraged to ask an employee for help.
The full statement Brights Zoo posted to social media can be found below:
Some ask why we don’t allow squeezable pouches into the zoo. The reason is simple – the packaging is dangerous to our animals. Today we lost a beloved animal due to choking. If you look at these lids from an animal perspective it looks like food. This is what forced us to do bag searches but yet some people find ways to sneak these in. Guests are able to go to their car or the picnic areas in our parking lot as many times as they wish and re-enter the zoo.
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