An adored ostrich at a Kansas zoo has died after swallowing a staff member's keys

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — A beloved ostrich astatine nan Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center successful Kansas has died aft swallowing a unit member’s keys.

The zoo announced successful a societal media station connected Friday that nan 5-year-old ostrich named Karen had reached beyond her exhibit’s obstruction and grabbed and swallowed nan employee’s keys. Staff consulted pinch experts astir nan U.S. “to acquisition surgical and non-surgical efforts to minimize nan effect of nan keys. Unfortunately, these efforts were unsuccessful,” nan zoo said.

Karen was euthanized Thursday and “passed distant successful staff’s hands,” Topeka Zoo Interim Director Fawn Moser said successful an email.

“We are devastated by nan nonaccomplishment of Karen,” Moser said successful a statement. “She was not conscionable an animal; she was a beloved personnel of our community. Our thoughts are pinch our dedicated animal attraction team, who formed heavy bonds pinch Karen during her clip pinch us.”

The adored ostrich had been astatine nan zoo since March 2023. She was known for her emotion of playing successful h2o “and, champion of all, being our ‘dancing queen!’” nan zoo said.

The zoo said it undertook an investigation and “is taking due actions regarding nan squad personnel involved.” The zoo besides said it would reappraisal and heighten information protocols for its animals.

The Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center is location to much than 300 animals exhibited passim 35 acres (14.2 hectares), according to its website.