The death of a lappet-faced vulture named Pin at the Dallas Zoo due to a suspicious wound is being investigated, adding to recent unusual activity at the facility. A $10,000 reward is offered for information according to a The Guardian article which says,
“A lappet-faced vulture at the Dallas zoo has died from a suspicious wound in its Wilds of Africa habitat. Officials called the mysterious death of 35-year-old Pin “devastating” and are offering a $10,000 reward for any information.
The announcement follows a bout of unusual activity at the zoo. Last week it shut down after it reported one of its two clouded leopards, Nova, was missing. A zoo spokesperson assured the public the 25lb cat didn’t pose a threat to humans and Nova was found later that day on zoo grounds near her habitat.”
The Dallas zoo has taken significant measures to increase safety and security following the suspicious death of Pin the vulture. Police and wildlife officials are investigating, and the zoo has doubled its overnight security, increased staff presence, and installed more surveillance cameras. The facility is committed to ensuring the safety of its animals, staff, and surrounding community according to a Fox News article which reports,
“In response to Pin’s death, the zoo has increased surveillance cameras substantially, including solar tower units from police. The bird’s death comes just over a week after a frantic search was conducted for a missing clouded leopard at the zoo.
Furthermore, the facility has more than doubled its overnight security and increased staff presence.
“We’re going to continue to expand and implement whatever it takes for the safety and security measures of the animals, the staff and the people [who] live near the zoo,” he said.
Dallas police are in the process of conducting interviews and Fish and Wildlife officials are assisting in the investigation.”
With only 6,500 individuals of the species remaining globally and only 27 in US zoos, Pin’s death is a significant loss for the conservation community.
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