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Columbus Zoo mourning sudden loss of Humboldt penguin born in March

COLUMBUS — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is mourning the loss of its Humboldt penguin born earlier this year who suddenly passed away last week.

The penguin, named Cecilia, hatched at the zoo on March 20.

According to the zoo, Cecilia began having trouble breathing last Thursday.

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The zoo says its animal health team was able to get the chick intubated to help her breathe, and while she initially began to improve, she was still unable to breathe on her own when the tube was removed.

Over the next several hours, Cecilia’s condition gradually declined and was showing signs consistent with central nervous system damage, the zoo said.

The zoo said the decision was made to humanely euthanize her.

“Our Animal Care team is taking this loss very hard, as they shared a close bond with Cecilia, the first Humboldt penguin chick our Shores team hand-raised,” the zoo said.


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