The facility also sustained damage across its animal enclosures
NEED TO KNOW
- Dickerson Park Zoo in Missouri is reopening after a hailstorm caused significant damage and one animal fatality
- A 21-year-old emu died, and a male rhea is recovering under veterinary care following the storm
- Some zoo exhibits remain damaged, but most animal habitats are safe, and the zoo is welcoming visitors again
Dickerson Park Zoo is set to reopen after a powerful hailstorm caused significant damage to the facility and led to the death of one animal.
The storm hit the Springfield, Mo., area on Tuesday, April 28, bringing large hail that damaged structures across the zoo grounds. According to reports from First Alert 4 and Associated Press, the hailstorm, which dropped “softball-sized” ice balls, resulted in at least one animal fatality due to head trauma and left another injured.
In a statement shared by the zoo, officials confirmed that a 21-year-old female emu named Adam died during the storm.
“Dickerson Park Zoo sustained significant damage from the hail storm on Tuesday, April 28,” the zoo said in a Facebook update. “No guests or staff were injured. Zoo staff is sad to report the death of one animal: a 21-year-old female emu. A male rhea is under veterinary care at this time.”…