A beloved ostrich died after swallowing a zoo worker’s keys.
Staff at the Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center in the US said they were “devastated by the loss” of the five-year-old bird named Karen.
She had jumped a fence to snatch and swallow the staff member’s set of keys, the zoo said.
Staff consulted with experts across the United States “to undergo surgical and non-surgical efforts” in an attempt to save the ostrich, but were unsuccessful.
Karen was euthanized Thursday and “passed away in the hands of the staff,” said Fawn Moser, the zoo’s acting director.
The Kansas Zoo said an investigation had been opened into the incident and that it was “taking appropriate action regarding the team member involved.”
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“We are devastated by the loss of Karen,” Moser said.
“She wasn’t just an animal; she was a beloved member of our community. Our thoughts are with our dedicated animal care team, who formed deep bonds with Karen during her time with us.”
The ostrich had been at the zoo since March 2023.
She was known for her love of playing in the water and “being our ‘homecoming queen,'” the zoo said.
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The zoo said it would review and improve safety protocols for its animals.
The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center is home to more than 300 animals, according to its website.