Flooding Claims Lives of Two Bison at Zoo

It’s hard to imagine a more terrifying way to die than being trapped in a cage as flood waters rise around you. Yet that was the fate of Ryan and Esther, two bison at Pennsylvania’s ZooAmerica who died when they were left to fend for themselves after torrential rains flooded the zoo. “The two bison that were in the enclosure, their heads were barely above water and they were panicking,” describes a witness.

Even though local officials had issued warnings about the coming flood, Ryan and Esther were simply moved to “higher” ground. Esther drowned, and Ryan was shot to death when it became clear that rescue was impossible.

Please join PETA in asking the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct a formal investigation into Ryan’s and Esther’s deaths.

Written by Jennifer O’Connor