Muda69 Posted January 17, 2025 Posted January 17, 2025 https://www.jconline.com/story/news/local/2025/01/17/usda-citations-say-78-birds-dead-or-missing-from-frankfort-tpa-park/77726057007/ Quote This article has been updated to provide new information. FRANKFORT, Ind. — The Frankfort TPA Park Petting Zoo and Aviary is investigating the death of a deer and two chickens this week after several violations in December surrounding dozens of bird deaths and animal care found during a routine inspection by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA inspection in December found seven non-critical violations and one critical violation related to the recent loss of 78 birds in the zoo's care. During a routine animal check on Thursday, the Frankfort Parks Department said in a news release Thursday night, zookeepers found one deer in distress, and another deer and two chickens were found dead. As soon as city officials were made aware of the situation, Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets said in the release she contacted the Purdue University Veterinary Hospital and the Department of Natural Resources to ensure proper protocols were being followed. "We are deeply saddened by this event as these animals have been in the care of the Frankfort Parks Department for many years," Sheets said in the release. "When I arrived on the scene today, park employees commented that Elliott (the deceased deer) used to follow the zookeepers and park staff around the zoo trying to take their gloves or keys out of their pocket and run off with them." The city said in the release that the distressed dear is under the care of Purdue Animal Hospital veterinarians, and the deceased animals will undergo necropsies to determine a cause of death. When the Journal & Courier called Friday morning to ask whether bird flu is being investigated as a potential cause of death, the person who answered the phone said no one was available to comment. .... The Frankfort Parts department need to get out of the Aviary and Petting Zoo business. Sell the remaining inventory of animals, and repurpose the buildings used for their care and display for other purposes or remove them completely.
Recommended Posts