Karen, a “vibrant and beloved ostrich” at the Topeka Zoo, died after swallowing keys she collected from a staff member, the zoo announced on Facebook last week.
According to the zoo, Karen “reached past her exhibit fence” and grabbed the staff’s keys before “immediately swallowing them.” The zoo has tried surgical and non-surgical solutions, but without success. Karen, a 5-year-old girl, was euthanized Thursday, the Associated Press reported.
“We are devastated by the loss of Karen,” Topeka Zoo Acting Director Fawn Moser said in a statement. “She wasn’t just an animal; she was a beloved member of our community. Our hearts go out to our dedicated animal care team, who formed a deep bond with Karen during her time with us.”
Brea Schmidt/Topeka Zoo via AP
Karen arrived at the zoo in March last year, when she was part of the new Giraffe & Friends exhibit, the zoo said. The zoo described the attraction as “an interdisciplinary, multi-species exhibit that transports visitors to the Serengeti Plain.”
The zoo said Karen was “known for her water-loving habits, like swimming in the pool, playing with the sprinkler, and best of all, being our ‘dancing queen!’ »
“Guests and zoo staff formed deep connections with her, captivated by her playful antics,” the zoo added.
The zoo, located in Topeka, Kansas, is home to more than 300 animals and welcomes approximately 250,000 visitors per year, according to its website.
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