May 2, 2017 - The Chippewa Wildlife Exhibit officially closed Monday as approved during the 2017 Municipal Budget deliberations.

Following is an update on the animals:

Transfers of the animals from the Chippewa Wildlife Exhibit are being coordinated through an animal transporter, who has already transferred four foxes and one bobcat.

Three elk and one deer were scheduled to be transferred last week after Tuberculosis (TB) testing.
Two veterinarians were on site to assess the animals' health prior to the testing and all four animals were sedated, tested and awoke from the sedation.

"Unfortunately, the deer died from what is believed to be a physical injury during the first round of TB testing," said Cory Halvorsen, Manager of Parks & Open Spaces.  "We were very sad to see this animal pass away. A veterinarian will be conducting a post-mortem to confirm this was the cause of death."

TB testing requires two rounds of testing within 72 hours. Based on the risks observed during the first round of testing and the icy site conditions related to the freezing rain, it was decided to cancel the second and final round of sedation and testing.

There are no current plans to re-test the three elk that remain at the exhibit. 

Administration continues to make arrangements for the transfer of the other 23 animals at the Exhibit, considering their health and staff safety in the decisions. Until they are transferred, trained staff will care for the remaining animals.

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Contact: Cory Halvorsen, Manager - Parks & Open Spaces, 807-625-2355