Zebra died after rhino punctured stomach - zoo

Josh Dennington/Colchester Zoo Ziggy the zebra, photographed at Colchester Zoo, standing in front of a backdrop of trees and bushes.Josh Dennington/Colchester Zoo
Ziggy the zebra was described as "a much loved animal who will be dearly missed"

A zebra died after a rhino unintentionally punctured its stomach, Colchester Zoo said.

More details have been released by the zoo about the incident on Friday, which occurred in its mixed species African habitat.

Two rhinos – Astrid and her son Tayo – were sparring with one another, described by the zoo as "regular and natural behaviour" for the species.

Astrid attempted to move Ziggy the zebra out of the way, but in doing so Ziggy was injured and died a few minutes later.

'Dearly missed'

In a statement on its website, Colchester Zoo said Ziggy had lived happily with other species – including the rhino – in the Kingdom of the Wild habitat since 2017.

He was described by the zoo as "a much loved animal who will be dearly missed".

Astrid, a Southern white rhinoceros, pictured with her calf inside an enclosure at Colchester Zoo. Astrid is feeding on a pile of hay.
Astrid the rhino, pictured with one of her calves, which was born at Colchester Zoo in January 2023

Astrid – a southern white rhino - has given birth to two calves at Colchester Zoo, including one in January 2023.

The zoo said the sorts of incidents that occurred on Friday were "extremely rare" and its Animal Care Team would "continue to closely monitor the animals' behaviour in the coming weeks".

In its statement, the zoo thanked supporters for their well-wishes, and said its team had dealt with "this very difficult situation extremely professionally".

The African habitat - which was built in 2001 - is home to reticulated giraffes, maneless zebras, white rhinos, ostriches, crowned cranes and a greater kudu - a type of antelope.

Follow Essex news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.

Related internet links