Five meerkats at the Philadelphia Zoo faced an unfortunate incident last week, which the zoo is actively addressing. The animals were exposed to a substance from a dye routinely used for identification, a practice employed for over 30 years. Rachel Metz, Vice President of Animal Well-Being, highlighted the long-standing use of the topical agricultural dye, known as Nyanzol-D, across various zoo animals.
In light of the incident, the zoo is conducting an extensive internal and external investigation to understand the circumstances surrounding the meerkats’ unfortunate demise. Metz emphasized the zoo’s commitment to transparency and thorough fact-finding.
The dye, typically applied to different parts of animals for easy identification, has been temporarily suspended as a precautionary measure until a comprehensive assessment is completed. Necropsy results are awaited to provide precise insights into the cause of the meerkats’ passing.
The zoo remains dedicated to ensuring the well-being of its animals and will take necessary actions based on the investigation’s findings.