February 17, 2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
RON MAGILL, Zoo Communications Director
Miami Metrzoo – 305-251-0400, ext. 224
Cellular – 305-733-5108

ANACONDA DIES AT MIAMI METROZOO

Miami Metrozoo’s adult green anaconda was found dead on Saturday, February 14th  in its display at the zoo’s new Amazon and Beyond exhibt.  The large constrictor arrived at Metrozoo on December 2nd after it was purchased from a local dealer who stated that it was a long term captive that was originally wild caught approximately 10 years ago in Guyana.

After a thorough necropsy, initial indications are that the animal suffered from an intestinal infection.  Further tests on the other organs including the lung, heart, kidney and stomach are pending and those results won’t be available for several weeks.  Metrozoo does have two smaller anacondas that will replace this animal until a larger specimen can be located.

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