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All 12 of the stingrays at ZooTampa at Lowry Park were found dead on the morning of Thursday 27 May 2021.
Their cause of deaths is currently unknown, according to a statement posted on Facebook by the zoo on Friday morning. The saltwater touch tank known as Stingray Bayheld held an array of different species, including seven cownose stingrays, four Southern stingrays, and one Atlantic stingray, according to Tampa Bay Times.
"It’s with heavy hearts we share that today ZooTampa lost 12 residents of Stingray Bay," ZooTampa at Lowry Park said in a statement. "Please keep our team in your thoughts – every professional here loves the animals we care for, and any loss is a difficult one."
The zoo's animal care and veterinary teams have launched an investigation into the deaths in which they will examine the tank's mechanical equipment and testing the water quality. They'll also produce a toxicology report to identify whether the stingrays were exposed to any toxins or harmful chemicals. The results of the investigation are set to be completed in the next few weeks.
We'll update this story when more information becomes available.
