Cold Weather Kills 65 Animals at Mexico Zoo

Extreme cold weather is responsible for the deaths of 65 animals at the Chihuahua Zoo in northern Mexico on Saturday. Zoo owner Alberto Hernandez tells CNN other factors such as frozen pipes played a role in the tragedy.

"We are accustomed to extreme weather, but nothing like this,” says Hernandez.

Temperatures reached as low as 5 degrees Fahrenheit early Saturday morning. The temperature drop was unexpected and the cold caused gas pipes to freeze. Electricity was also knocked out. With no electricity, the zoo’s heaters stopped working. The night watchman turned on the gas, but that did not work either because the pipes were frozen.

Among the animals that died was one 6-month-old Capuchin monkey named Little Boots, 3 crocodiles, 5 iguanas, 10 peacocks, 12 snakes, 14 parrots and parakeets, and 20 hens. Two other monkeys and one stallion were near death, but were saved.

The Chihuahua Zoo is located in Aldama.

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