Post by LSDeep on Feb 7, 2006 21:09:48 GMT -5
Feb. 7, 2006 at 1:39PM
The Pittsburgh Zoo is investigating how ozone-treated water was released into its main aquarium and killed all 10 of its black-tip reef sharks.
The mishap occurred after the zoo closed Saturday, during a routine weekly backwash procedure that puts ozone-purified water into the 90,000-gallon 2-story aquarium, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday.
Zoo spokeswoman Connie George said staff dove into the water to try to save the sharks about 10 minutes after the problem was noticed, but were not able to save the sharks, which the zoo acquired two years ago from the Philippines.
More than 100 other animals in the exhibit, including groupers, butterfly fish, angelfish and other kinds of sharks, were not affected, George said.
Zoo officials said the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, which sets accreditation standards, will be notified when the investigation concludes.
The "open ocean" tank is home to more than 100 fish in 100,000 gallons of water.
washingtontimes.com/upi/20060207-123531-6544r.htm
The Pittsburgh Zoo is investigating how ozone-treated water was released into its main aquarium and killed all 10 of its black-tip reef sharks.
The mishap occurred after the zoo closed Saturday, during a routine weekly backwash procedure that puts ozone-purified water into the 90,000-gallon 2-story aquarium, the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette reported Tuesday.
Zoo spokeswoman Connie George said staff dove into the water to try to save the sharks about 10 minutes after the problem was noticed, but were not able to save the sharks, which the zoo acquired two years ago from the Philippines.
More than 100 other animals in the exhibit, including groupers, butterfly fish, angelfish and other kinds of sharks, were not affected, George said.
Zoo officials said the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, which sets accreditation standards, will be notified when the investigation concludes.
The "open ocean" tank is home to more than 100 fish in 100,000 gallons of water.
washingtontimes.com/upi/20060207-123531-6544r.htm