AKRON, Ohio — Officials at the Akron Zoo report that its two snowy owlets passed away on Tuesday.
The owlets were less than a month old. One hatched on July 31 and the other on August 3. Their births marked the first time that snowy owls had ever hatched at the Akron Zoo.
The zoo says the results of its animal autopsy, also known as a necropsy, were inconclusive. There were no visible signs of trauma, injury or illness. Pathology reports will be sent out for further evaluation.
The Akron Zoo’s adult snowy owls, male Frost and female Cirrus, are in good health and remain in the zoo's snowy owl habitat daily.
“We are heartbroken at the sudden passing of our two owlets,” said Shane Good, senior director of animal care at the Akron Zoo in a statement. “Our avian care team worked tirelessly to provide a comfortable environment for our snowy owls to breed, and we will continue to offer Frost and Cirrus the best care. The unexpected loss of our owlets is very deeply felt by our staff, who dedicate their lives to providing exceptional care to all our animal residents every day.”
These animals are listed as vulnerable to extinction by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The Akron Zoo participates in the Snowy Owl Species Survival Plan (SSP), a breeding plan that works to ensure genetic diversity in species across zoos that are accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, like the Akron Zoo.
According to the SSP, snowy owls have a 33% mortality rate in their first year.
3News' Ryan Haidet contributed to this story
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