KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WVLT) -- A 10-year-old
white-handed gibbon named Naomi has passed away unexpectedly at Zoo
Knoxville.
The zoo said its male gibbon, Georgie, needed a mate. They got Naomi
from Little Rock, Arkansas, on Jan. 28. She initially was quarantined
and was released into the Gibbon Trail habitat once veterinarians gave
her a clean bill of health.
According to the Zoo, Naomi became uncoordinated and lethargic in late
march, and she was sent back to the zoo's clinic. Veterinarians from the
University of Tennessee's College of Veterinary Medicine conducted
several tests and found no neurological issues. The veterinarians
treated her with antiviral, antibiotic and anti-imflammoatory
medications, but Naomi's condition did not improve. She became
unresponsive, and the zoo said it decided to "humanely euthanize" her
Tuesday.
“We are reeling from the loss of Naomi,” Director of Animal Care,
Conservation and Education Phil Colclough said. “We are in the business
of caring for and saving animals, and while we all recognize that there
will always be ups and downs when taking care of living creatures, the
lows such as this never become less painful.”
Naomi came to Zoo Knoxville as part of the white-handed gibbon species
survival plan. Zoos collaborate through this program to pair gibbons to
produce offspring. They're now searching for a new companion for Georgie.
"In the interim, he is coping well with the companionship of his
caretakers and enjoying his interactions with zoo visitors," Zoo
Knoxville said about Georgie in a statement. |
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