Indianapolis Zoo loses animals to fire

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 11 (UPI) -- Several Indianapolis Zoo animals were killed this weekend when a fire began in one of the facility's holding rooms.

Zoo officials said the fire, which began in an area where animals for special programs are held, created so much smoke that several of the facility's smaller residents succumbed, The Indianapolis Star reported Sunday.

Killed by smoke inhalation were three turtles, a snake, two birds, an armadillo, two rodents and several hissing cockroaches. Several dozen other birds, reptiles and rodents were being observed at the zoo's veterinary hospital.

Many of those animals killed in Saturday's fire were the zoo's ambassadors, which were taken out into the community for various public appearances.

Indianapolis Zoo President Mike Crowther said the loss of those animals was a devastating tragedy for the zoo and he expressed his sympathy to those employees who had become especially close to the fallen creatures.

"The loss of any of our animal collection is significant, and it is a real tragedy," Crowther told the Star. "Our thoughts are with the staff who worked with those lost. Many of the staff spent more time with those animals than many parents spend with their children."