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Rough Spring For Brookfield Zoo Continues

By Marcus Gilmer in News on Apr 4, 2009 5:10PM

2009_04_04_kaylee.jpg
Photo courtesy the Chicago Zoological Society
It's been a rough spring for Brookfield Zoo. Just a week ago, the zoo lost its oldest female gorilla, Alpha, and now the staff mourns the passing of Kaylee, a 15-year-old bottlenose dolphin. Kaylee had developed an abscess in one of her lungs a few years ago. A procedure to take care of the abscess helped save her life, but she was left vulnerable to other health problems because of scar tissue in the lung. Kim Smith, the zoological society's vice president of animal care, said, "Kaylee was one of our favorites, and our marine mammal staff is devastated by her death. After saving her life three years ago, we knew that there was a risk that she would always be vulnerable to recurring illness, just like a human who has suffered serious health problems." Kaylee was one of four dolphins at Brookfield Zoo; the other three are in good health. [WBBM]