'Human error' played role in deer pig's death, Toronto Zoo says

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Toronto Zoo officials say they believe “human error” played a role in the death of a Sulawesi babirusa over the weekend.

The zoo said in a statement on social media that Bucky, a 17-year-old “deer pig” whose species is native to Indonesia and considered vulnerable, suffered a fatal injury on Saturday after gaining access to a rhinoceros pen.

Despite a “swift response” from staff, the zoo said they were unable to save Bucky.

“We have launched a full investigation to understand how this tragedy occurred and early findings indicate that human error played a role,” the zoo’s statement said. “As we work to ensure something like this never happens again, our priority right now is continuing the investigation and supporting our team who are experiencing profound grief.

“We will release additional details as they become available and respectfully ask for privacy for our animal care staff and volunteers as they navigate this loss.”

It wasn’t clear how long the investigation will take and whether Bucky had died after an interaction with a  one-horned male rhino named Vishnu, zoo equipment or something else. The zoo had yet to reply to an email from TheToronto Sun asking for clarification.

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The zoo’s statement said Bucky was one of the oldest babirusas in North America and he held a “special place in our hearts.

“His gentle nature, curious spirit and unique charm brought joy to everyone who had the privilege of knowing him,” the zoo said of Bucky, who took up residence near the Malayan Woods Pavilion. “Whether he was delighting guests with his quirky personality or forging bonds with his devoted caretakers, Bucky was truly one of a kind.”

Sulawesi babirusas are native to the Indonesian islands of Sulawesi, Togian, Sula and Buru, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The WWF estimates that about 10,000 are believed to be left in the wild due to hunting and habitat loss, making them a vulnerable species — a step below endangered status on the International Union for Conservation of Nature scale.

While the rainforest- and wetland-dwelling pigs may look fearsome due to their distinctive tusks, they are solitary animals that feed mostly on fruits, plants and small invertebrates.

Bucky’s death came less than two months after the zoo said goodbye to its 25-year-old spotted hyena, Moja, and 11-year-old American moose, Lily. Moja and Lily were euthanized over the span of a week in late December and early January due to health issues.