Fox chews through fence, kills 25 flamingos at zoo

WASHINGTON — Zookeepers at the National Zoo made a macabre discovery this week, when they entered the outdoor enclosure that housed 74 flamingos. A wild fox from neighboring Rock Creek Park had apparently chewed a hole in the metal mesh fencing and wreaked havoc, killing 25 flamingos and injuring three others. One Northern pintail duck was also killed.

Brandie Smith, the zoo’s director, called it “a heartbreaking loss for us and everyone who cares about our animals.”

The birds at the zoo have their wings clipped and could not fly away from the predator.