BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — UPDATE: Officials at Binder Park Zoo have confirmed that second Mexican gray wolf pup has passed away from the mosquito-borne virus Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).
Officials had previously confirmed EEE in one pup earlier this month, reporting that a second one had died the following day. Officials had said that the second pup was previously diagnosed with a congenital liver abnormality which may have played a role in its death.
Following test results, officials confirmed the virus in the second pup. The virus is said to be rare in canine species.
Officials are currently monitoring the lone surviving pup and its parents, which are said to be in healthy condition.
The Fall hours of the zoo run until 4 p.m., which lowers the chance of being bitten by a mosquito. The most active time for mosquitos is at dusk, and the zoo is providing free bug repellant to patrons.
—Original Story—
BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) –The Binder Park Zoo is confirming that one of their Mexican gray wolf pups has died from Eastern Equine Encephalitis.
The pup died the first weekend in September and is the 1st confirmed case of the rare mosquito-borne virus in Calhoun County. The first human case of EEE in that area was confirmed on Friday.
Tests are still pending on a second wolf pup which also passed the next day, but zoo officials say that animal was previously diagnosed with a congenital liver abnormality which may have played a role in its death.
The wolf pups were part of a species survival plan breeding recommendation through the Association of Zoos and Aquariums because the Mexican gray wolf is actually the rarest subspecies of gray wolf, with only 131 counted in the wild in 2018.
Zoo officials say the surviving wolf pup and both parents are healthy and they are being closely monitored.
In a statement, Dr. Kim Thompson, staff veterinarian at Binder Park Zoo, said:
“Although EEE infection in canines is very, very rare, there have been a few cases previously reported in domestic dog puppies. All species considered highly susceptible to EEE infection at the zoo, including domestic and non-domestic equine species and ostriches, are vaccinated on a yearly basis. Zoos have a wide range of species and can be important indicators for detecting diseases in an area. All animals at Binder Park Zoo that die have a complete necropsy and any additional disease testing performed by a veterinarian to determine the cause of death. As such, it’s not uncommon for a zoo veterinarian to detect a new disease in an area. In fact, a zoo veterinarian was the first to detect West Nile Virus after it entered the United States many years ago.”
The zoo is providing courtesy “Bug Spray Stations” throughout the zoo, and they’re now on their fall hours so visitors will not be out around dusk when mosquitoes are most active.
