Elmwood Park Zoo Announces Deaths of Several Animals

NORRISTOWN, PA — Zookeepers and animal lovers are mourning the deaths of several animals at the Elmwood Park Zoo over the past several months.

The zoo announced in a social media post Monday that the deaths have all occurred within the last three months due to "natural but unrelated causes."

Among the animals that passed away:

• Lace, 25, a white-faced Saki monkey
• Matilda, 15, an elk
• Diva, a Leicester longwool sheep
• Nox, 15, a gray wolf

Matilda had been battling a neurological disorder that made it difficult for her to walk, and the Zoo decided to euthanize her. Lace, meanwhile, fell ill with an upper respiratory infection in May. She was one of the Zoo's oldest animal residents. Diva suffered from a seizure, probably a stroke, in August. Nox had a bleeding mass in her liver, and her struggle to breathe led the Zoo to determine to humanely euthanize her.

The Zoo encouraged animal lovers and guests at the Zoo to leave notes of support on their Facebook page, where there are several pictures of the beloved animals.

Image of Nox courtesy Elmwood Park Zoo.