An online petition is seeking support to have the penguin enclosure at the Calgary Zoo shut down after seven birds were discovered dead in a holding pool Dec. 8.
Necropsy results suggest the birds died as a result of drowning. Veterinarians believe the drowning was linked to some sort of stress.
The online petition, started by Ameila Meister, says:
“This kind of death should be preventable. Penguins should not be suddenly and mysteriously dying of stress. Drowning is a nearly unheard of death for penguins.”
The petition, intended for the CEO of the Calgary Zoo, Dr. Clément Lanthier, is requesting the current exhibit be closed and the remaining penguins be sent to new and appropriate habitats.
On the petition site there is a goal of 4,000 supporters. As of 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, there were already 3,444 signatures.
The Calgary Zoo has indicated it is very much aware there is a petition, but at this point is continuing to put its efforts into investigating the cause of the deaths. Calgary Zoo spokesperson Trish Exton-Parder said the zoo plans to share that information when it becomes available.
Global News reached out to Meister for comment, but at the time of posting, had not received a response.
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