Hole In The Cage Fence Of The Zoo, Wild Fox Kills 25 Flamingos

Caribbean flamingo illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/NancyHeise)

JAKARTA - A wild fox bursts into an exotic bird cage in the zoo's open yard, where dozens of flightless flamingos are resigned to being attacked.

The gruesome conditions were discovered by custodians of the Washington National Zoo, United States last week, while entering an open-air enclosure that houses about 74 flamingos.

A wild fox from neighboring Rock Creek Park had apparently punched a hole in the metal mesh fence and wreaked havoc, killing 25 flamingos and injuring three others. A northern pintail duck was also killed.

This attack is the worst incident at the zoo in 20 years. In 2002 and 2003, a series of animal attacks, also by foxes, resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen ducks, peacocks, and bald eagles.

Zoo officials instituted new safety measures in response to the attacks, with barriers largely in place until now.

The Bird House Zoo is currently closed to the public, for long-term renovations. Most of the herd live in the 905 square meter yard, with barn and hot tub. Zoo officials said the area was last inspected on Sunday at around 2:30 p.m.

When staff returned Monday morning, they found more than two dozen dead birds and "a hole the size of a new softball in the heavy-duty metal netting that surrounds the outside yard," the zoo's official statement said. Zoo staff also briefly spotted the fox in the outdoor area, but the animal fled, reports The National News May 6.

Caribbean flamingo illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/_paVan_)

To foxes, flamingos are "like chickens with longer legs and a different color," Dan Rauch, a city wildlife biologist, told The Washington Post. The flamingo in the zoo has its wings cut off and can't fly

Separately, Brandie Smith, the zoo's director, described the attack as "a heartbreaking loss for us and everyone who cares about our animals".

It said in a statement, fencing and other protective measures were being assessed and improved to prevent similar break-ins.

"Our focus now is on the welfare of the remaining herds and strengthening our habitat."

Known, the birds, officially known as American or Caribbean flamingos, are instantly recognizable for their long legs and distinctive pink hue.

The remaining flamingos have been moved to indoor cages, while the injured birds are being cared for by the zoo's veterinary staff.

The mesh fence is specially designed to prevent being penetrated by predators and a "digging barrier" is also constructed, to block any attempts to dig under the fence. The fence was last replaced in 2017 and has passed all previous safety inspections.

Now, the zoo is stepping up security again, strengthening the net barrier, setting traps directly around the outdoor yard, and installing motion-triggered cameras to photograph any nighttime activity.

This is the latest fox-related nuisance in the US capital, where last month, a mad red fox attacked a US congressman, who fought him off with an umbrella and had to get a rabies shot.

Capitol police received several reports of "aggressive fox encounters on or near the US Capitol grounds", including near the US Botanic Garden. The captured fox was euthanized, along with its equipment.