One of eight new Jacksonville Zoo penguins dead

Posted: September 27, 2010 - 5:51pm

BRUCE LIPSKY-File

Some of the eight penguins at the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens' new exhibit when it opened this past spring.

Thistle, one of the Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens' Magellanic penguins, died Sept. 6 following a bout of aspergillosis, while another is being treated for the disease.

The new exhibit, with eight penguins and a 12,000-gallon tank, was unveiled in March. Thistle was diagnosed with the infection, which affects the aquatic bird's respiratory system, in April. Treated by zoo staff, he showed improvement by May, eating and swimming well until he and the other penguins began their annual molt. But the increased demand caused by molting impacted Thistle's immune system opened him up to other health problems and he died despite additional treatment, according to zoo officials.

A necropsy (animal autopsy) showed no more infection, and aspergillosis was not the cause of death. Now a female penguin named Oreo is under treatment for aspergillosis as molting affects her health as well right now. Oreo also showed improvement prior to molting, said zoo officials.

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