The Los Angeles Zoo has euthanized its herd of Nubian ibex after determining the goats were infected with a highly contagious and incurable strain of herpes. The zoo discovered the virus after six African antelope fell ill and died in October of malignant catarrhal fever. The zoo’s Nubian ibex, typically found in the mountains of the Middle East, were identified as the source of the disease, which develops from a herpes virus usually carried asymptomatically. “The Nubian ibex could not be sent to any other facility housing hoofed animals, as those animals could contract the disease and die,” the zoo said in a statement. This wasn’t the first time the Los Angeles Zoo had euthanized animals that fell ill. Last month, staff euthanized a 48-year-old Indian rhinoceros who had survived skin cancer.

Source: Los Angeles Times December 22, 2017 04:07 UTC