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Lincoln Park Zoo Mourns Loss of Seal and Flamingo

1/17/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Tragedy struck Lincoln Park Zoo as a harbor seal named Slater and a young Chilean flamingo named Teal succumbed to highly pathogenic avian influenza. Teal, just a hatchling last fall, passed away on January 8, followed by Slater the next day. While visitors remain safe, certain bird species will be temporarily hidden from view.

History

Historical Context

The recent deaths of a harbor seal and a flamingo at Lincoln Park Zoo due to avian influenza highlight ongoing wildlife health crises. Past outbreaks, such as the 2015 H5N2 epidemic, led to the culling of millions of birds in the U.S. These incidents underscore the vulnerability of wildlife to zoonotic diseases, which can disrupt ecosystems and threaten species survival, echoing broader trends in human-wildlife conflict.

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Story summary

Tragedy struck Lincoln Park Zoo as a harbor seal named Slater and a young Chilean flamingo named Teal succumbed to highly pathogenic avian influenza. Teal, just a hatchling last fall, passed away on January 8, followed by Slater the next day. While visitors remain safe, certain bird species will be temporarily hidden from view.

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