A Japanese zoo has launched a probe after apparently massacring 31 of its 40 squirrels by mistake with remedies meant to kill parasites, officers stated.
Keepers on the Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo injected the animals with anti-parasitic drugs on December 4 as a part of a sanitary precaution, whereas additionally spraying insecticide over their nest bins.
One of many bushy-tailed rodents—a typical Japanese squirrel—died quickly afterwards and over subsequent days increasingly perished, with 31 fatalities recorded by Monday morning.
“The potential for drug-induced poisoning can’t be denied,” the zoo admitted in an announcement Monday.
“We’re presently investigating the reason for their deaths and observing the situations of surviving people,” they stated, including {that a} pathological examination of the corpses was underway.
“We provide our deepest apologies”, the assertion stated.
The zoo insisted the medication in query had been utilized in correct doses and had been administered earlier than.
The power has been cleaned and vetted for security, the zoo stated, and the surviving squirrels had been again on show.
Japan is house to a few sorts of the tree-dwelling creatures: the Japanese squirrel, the Japanese flying squirrel and the Japanese big flying squirrel.
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This article was first printed by Phys.org on 12 December 2023. Lead Picture: Inokashira Park Zoo in Tokyo is investigating the demise of 31 squirrels after keepers injected the animals with anti-parasitic drugs and sprayed insecticide over their nest bins as a part of a sanitary precaution.
