Animals killed in zoo - Brazil

[dArKeR]

Sao Paulo - The animal death toll in a mysterious series of killings by poisoning at the Sao Paulo Zoo has risen to 56 and more animals are expected to die, press reports said on Friday.

Experts at the Paulista State University were carrying out autopsies on dead animals, seeking traces of poison in another five animals suspected of being intentionally killed.

Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper said police investigations indicated the latest targets in the poisonings appeared to be a group of 50 porcupines, that had been set to be auctioned to raise funds for the zoo.

Of those 50 animals, 37 have died since January 24, and another six were showing grave signs of poisoning, and keepers had given up hope of saving them, the report said.

http://www.news24.com/News24/World/News/0,6119,2-10-1462_1490817,00.html

[blindpig]

1. 50 porcupines

Knowing the sorry financial condition of most zoos in the developing world I wouldn't be surprised if this was a disease problem exasperated by overcrowding. Or possibly tainted food, though if so one would expect other species to be affected as some would be eating some of the same tainted food. Malice is usually reserve for higher profile specimens.