We deeply share this sadness with the good folks at the TN Aquarium. Take heart, Keepers-you did everything you could for the little fellow and we appreciate you for that.
~wiinterrr
Wednesday, July 24, 2013
Thoughts for a Sad Day at Penguins’ Rock
By
Shannon Colbert, social media specialist
In May, we were so happy to see the hatching of the
year’s first macaroni chick. The new little bird put big smiles on the faces of
keepers, staff and volunteers whenever it was seen.
However, it was clear early on that the chick was facing
some challenges. Keepers did everything they could to sustain it and give it
the best chance of survival. Unfortunately, I am deeply saddened to have learned
about the loss of the little chick yesterday afternoon.
Since joining the Aquarium team earlier this year, I have
been continually amazed by the amount of care and compassion given to every
aquarium animal by our incredible staff and volunteers. Each creature is given
exceptional handling by trained professionals who hold the well-being of our
animals at the highest priority. I’ve seen staff come in early and stay extra
late to make sure the animals they care for live the happiest and healthiest
lives possible. You can imagine then, how sad it can be when any animal is
lost.
The penguin nesting season that led to this little bird’s
hatching was one of my first blog assignments. I have followed the season watching
husbandry staff caring for potential penguin parents and shared in their
delight when this year’s first chick began breaking out of the egg. As part of
their routine, once baby penguins arrive, keepers follow a daily weight chart
to monitor the growth of each chick. Just a few days after hatching, there was
concern that this one was not gaining weight as quickly and consistently as it
should. Soon after that, keepers began supplemental feedings to help the chick put
on the weight it needed to survive. Unfortunately, our concerns were well
founded. Yesterday, after a week of
intensive treatment, there was nothing more that could be done to save the
chick.
As with every case like this, our veterinarian performed a
thorough post-mortem examination to try and determine the reason for its passing.
Initial results indicate that the baby may have been experiencing difficulty due
to some congenital abnormalities associated with its circulatory system. The initial gross examination results will
be followed up by a microscopic examination from a pathology laboratory.
Today, I am comforted to know that all of our animals are in
the very best hands, and I am hopeful for the rest of the year’s eggs yet to
hatch in Penguins’ Rock. As our husbandry staff (really, all of our staff)
would confirm, caring for and working around living things often comes with
great rewards. But on days like this one, it can also be exceptionally
heartbreaking.
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