Update: ‘Highly likely’ six turtles didn’t survive Seattle zoo fire
Dec 15, 2016, 3:57 PM | Updated: Dec 16, 2016, 4:11 pm
Six turtles not accounted for in Thursday’s fire at the Woodland Park Zoo likely didn’t survive, according to zoo officials.
“Sadly, it is highly likely that six turtles hibernating in this room have perished in the fire,” said Nancy Hawkes, PhD, Woodland Park Zoo’s general curator.
The turtles were hibernating for the winter in a special room in the basement of the Night Exhibit, which is where the Seattle Fire Department believes the fire started.
Damage from the fire is estimated at more than $1.5 million.
The Night Exhibit has been closed since 2010. The fire sent flames and smoke high into the air and threatened animals in the nearby Day Exhibit.
The zoo says staff moved about 200 animals – including venomous snakes, amphibians, dwarf crocodiles, and a tree kangaroo, which are temperature sensitive — to warm vehicles so they could be transported to eight other areas on zoo grounds.
No injuries to visitors or zoo staff were reported.
“The efforts our staff took to save these animals and their commitment and teamwork were heroic,” said Hawkes. “They put themselves in harm’s way to save these animals. We are so grateful to the amazing support from SFD who put their lives at risk every day, and to the outpouring of support from our community.”
Two firefighters suffered minor injuries, according to officials.
ZooLights was canceled Thursday night.
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