Herd Of Goats At Los Angeles Zoo Euthanized

LOS ANGELES, CA -- A herd of goats at the Los Angeles Zoo were euthanized after they were found to have a highly contagious disease, officials said this week. Seven Nubian ibex goats were humanely euthanized in November after they contracted a herpes virus, zoo officials said in a statement.

Zoo officials said the "difficult" decision was made to protect other animals. Six African antelope apparently died in October after an infection that was traced back to the goats, the zoo said.

“The Nubian ibex could not be sent to any other facility housing hoofed animals, as those animals could contract the disease and die," a statement from zoo officials said. "It would have been irresponsible of the Zoo to send the Nubian ibex to another facility knowing they could cause harm to additional animals.”

The Nubian ibex is a species found in Afria that has been listed as "vulnerable" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The group estimates there are 2,500 mature Nubian ibex left in the world.

--A photo of a Nubian ibex courtesy of the Los Angeles Zoo