Calgary Zoo zebra dies

A zebra in the care of the Calgary Zoo that was found unconscious at a breeding facility south of the city on Wednesday morning has died.

The zoo said Friday that the 13-year-old zebra named Igalihad been in a heated barn at the Devonian Wildlife Conservation Centre.

The animal regained consciousness after receiving treatment, but was unable to stand and died early Wednesday afternoon.

A post-mortem was conducted at the zoo later that day, but the cause of death cannot be confirmed until pathology test results are received, the zoo said.

Those are expected sometime early next year.

The endangered Grevy's zebra, native to eastern Africa, was born in Florida and had lived mainly at the conservation centre for the past six years, the zoo said.

"This is a particularly difficult loss for the zoo," Simon Scott, communications and marketing director for the zoo,stated in a news release.

"Not only are Grevy's zebras part of a managed breeding program operated by North American zoos, but Igali was a well-loved resident of our 'ranch' near DeWinton, Alberta."

Igali had access to his outdoor and indoor enclosures during the time he lived at the ranch, the zoo said. Staff had observed no problems and Igali was not known to have any health difficulties.

In the past few years, numerous animals have died at the Calgary Zoo, including a baby elephant, a hippo, a wild goat, four gorillas and 41 stingrays.

Most recently, a Siberian tiger unexpectedly gave birth in September to two cubs, both of which died.