Three pygmy goats die after intruders throw poison leaves into zoo
TWO African pygmy goats died and a third had to be put down after they ate toxic rhododendron leaves thrown into their enclosure at a children’s petting zoo by intruders.
Four more of the animals from the herd of 12 are being treated for the effects of poisoning after yobs broke into the zoo on Sunday night.
Rhododendron leaves and flowers are extremely poisonous if eaten by animals and humans.
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea and stomach cramps and can lead to blindness, seizures and death.
The goats that died were called Mirabel and Adele, who were both only one year old.
The one that had to be put down was named Jet, while Arwen, Blueberry, Amber and Coal are seriously ill but are expected to survive.
Last night police confirmed they were examining CCTV footage to try to identify the culprits they described as mindless.
They said the offenders scaled a wall and broke into the Walton Hall and Gardens children’s zoo on the outskirts of Warrington, Cheshire, between 8pm and 10pm on Sunday.
They ripped a rhododendron bush out of the ground and threw it into the goats’ enclosure.
Keepers at the zoo alerted police the following day when they realised what
‘It is very upsetting’
had happened. A spokesman for the zoo said they hoped there was no malice intended by those who gave the goats the plant.
But Cheshire police said they were investigating whether the goats’ deaths were due to a deliberate act of poisoning.
The zoo spokesman said: ‘We are very sorry to say three of our goats have died after they were poisoned with rhododendron leaves.
‘ It appears someone has broken into the zoo and fed the leaves to the animals. While we hope this wasn’t done with malice, the result is the same.
‘We’ve lost three of our well-loved animals and several more are ill.
‘We would stress that nobody should feed the animals at the zoo as they have very specific diets and this can have serious consequences.
‘The matter is now in the hands of the police.’
Locals and visitors to the popular zoo expressed sympathy yesterday on social media.
One Facebook user, Stacey Robinson, said: ‘ That is awful, poor goats, hope the remaining goats make a speedy recovery.’
Another, Margaret Chriscoli, posted: ‘ I have just come back from taking my grandchildren to your lovely children’s zoo and it is very upsetting to hear that news. I hope that the other goats recover quickly and the culprits are found.’
Inspector Neil Drum, of Cheshire police, said: ‘It’s very sad to see that the mindless actions of the offenders who gained entry to the zoo while it was closed to the public have resulted in serious illness and the deaths of these harmless animals.
‘We would appeal to the con- science of anyone who knows who the culprits are, please contact police so that we can find those responsible.’
Walton Hall is a Grade II-listed country house, complete with surrounding garden and zoo, all owned and administered by Warrington Borough Council.
Mirabel and Adele were part of a six- strong litter of pygmy goats born at the zoo last year. They were named by local schoolchildren.
At the time, keeper Liz Rowlands said: ‘ They are nice friendly little goats, they can walk and stand up within the first hour of being born.
‘They are lovely when they start bouncing around the field.’