[CINC] Finnegan the Fox Update

[Trent Barnhart]

It is with great sadness that I share this news: last week,
just weeks before his fifth birthday, the zoo made the decision to euthanize
Finnegan. He had bravely battled kidney issues since March of 2008, when he was
just two years old. He remained stable until last December, when his blood test
results showed that his renal failure was advancing. Supportive care was
provided over the past few months, allowing him to cope relatively well. 

 

Two weeks ago his condition worsened, and specialists
were called in to perform an ultrasound and renal biopsy. We are still waiting
for results of the biopsy to learn the cause of his kidney failure, however
Finnegan continued to lose weight and refuse to eat. 
We agreed that it was best to let him go.

 

Finnegan touched hundreds of thousands of people during
his tenure as an ambassador animal at the Santa Barbara Zoo. He did more than
any other animal or person, to connect guests with Island foxes, leaving
countless people enamored with the species. We must endeavor to continue
educating our guests about the incredible diversity of life on the Channel
Islands, and on our planet, even without our beloved ambassador.

 

 

Thank you everyone, Trent Barnhart Animal Nutritionist Santa Barbara ZooCINC Volunteer 		 	   		  
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