2 Dozen Flamingos, Duck Killed By Wild Fox At National Zoo

WASHINGTON, DC — More than two dozen American flamingos were killed by a wild fox at the Smithsonian's National Zoo this week, zoo officials said Tuesday. A northern pintail duck was also killed by the fox, officials said in a release.

Early Monday morning, zoo staff discovered the dead flamingos in their outdoor habitat. Staff also spotted a fox in the habitat before it escaped, zoo officials said.

Three other flamingos were injured and treated at the zoo’s veterinary hospital.

Brandie Smith, a director with the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute, called the deaths "a heartbreaking loss for us and everyone who cares about our animals."

The zoo's animal habitats are inspected multiple times a day to check for holes, breaches and other safety-related issues, officials said. The last inspection of the flamingo yards was conducted at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

Following the attack, zoo staff found a softball-size hole in the metal mesh surrounding the flamingo yards.

"The barrier we used passed inspection and is used by other accredited zoos across the country," Smith said. "Our focus now is on the well-being of the remaining flock and fortifying our habitats."

The fox attack cost the zoo nearly one-third of its flamingo flock, officials said in a release. The remainder of the flock was moved indoors, and the ducks were relocated to a secured outdoor space.

Meanwhile, zoo staff reinforced the mesh surrounding the flamingo yard. They also set up live and digital camera traps around the yard to catch any predators, officials said.