Advertisement

Police investigate Tasmanian devil death at U.S. zoo

Tasmanian Devils are seen chowing down on dinner unaware of the vital role they may have to play in the future of their species. Peter Lorimer / Newspix / Rex Features

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – Authorities are looking into the death of a Tasmanian devil found in a pool of blood at a New Mexico zoo with its skull fractured. Investigators suspect it was killed.

The animal was one of four provided to the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo last year by the Healesville Sanctuary as part of an effort to start a breeding program for the endangered species, the Albuquerque Journal reported. The devils’ population on the island of Tasmania south of the Australian mainland has been decimated by a form of cancer.

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.

Get daily National news

Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day.
By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.

The animal was discovered dead in his outdoor enclosure on Wednesday, the newspaper reported.

Investigators suspect the animal was killed by someone who hit it with a piece of asphalt that was found near its body, according to an Albuquerque police report.

“Upon hearing about it, the mayor was shocked, outraged, extremely concerned,” said Gilbert Montano, Mayor Richard Berry’s chief of staff. “These little guys are an endangered species.”

Story continues below advertisement

Authorities are asking anyone who saw something to come forward.

Sponsored content

AdChoices