Beloved ostrich at Kansas zoo dies after swallowing worker’s keys: ‘Devastated by the loss’

A beloved ostrich at a Kansas zoo has died after stealing and swallowing a staff member’s set of keys, officials said.

The Topeka Zoo and Conservation Center shared the sad news on social media, writing that the five-year-old ostrich named Karen had “reached beyond her exhibit fence to grab the keys of a staff member” and immediately swallowed the keys.

Staff quickly consulted with experts around the US, looking to “undergo surgical and non-surgical efforts to minimize the impact of the keys” but their efforts were unsuccessful.

“Karen, a vibrant and beloved ostrich, tragically succumbed to complications arising from consuming a foreign object,” the zoo said.

Karen was euthanized Thursday and “passed away in staff’s hands,” Topeka Zoo Interim Director Fawn Moser said.

“We are devastated by the loss of Karen,” Moser said. “She was not just an animal; she was a beloved member of our community. Our thoughts are with our dedicated animal care team, who formed deep bonds with Karen during her time with us.”

Karen had been at the zoo since March 2023 and was known for her “water loving habits, like swimming in the pool, playing in the sprinkler, and, best of all, being our ‘dancing queen!'” the zoo wrote.

“Zoo quests and staff alike formed deep connections with her, captivated by her playful antics.”

The zoo has conducted a “thorough investigation” and is taking appropriate actions regarding the team member involved. It will also be reviewing its protocols to strengthen the safety of its animals.

“The Topeka Zoo remains committed to ensuring the well-being of all our animals, implementing rigorous protocols to safeguard against such incidents in the future,” the zoo said.

With Post wires