The Calgary Zoo is mourning the loss of another animal after a freak accident Friday afternoon.
A two year old male Turkmenian Markhor, a type of wild goat, became entangled in an exhibit play toy called the "boomer ball" and lost its footing on a suspended log.
A Calgary family visiting the zoo witnessed the terrible accident. They told CTV News prior to the animal's death, they saw the markhor in distress with a rope wrapped around its neck.
Aubrey Williams' grandfather filmed the animal as it was struggling to free itself before it slipped and died while hanging from the rope.
CTV News obtained the home video, it also showed zoo staff trying to cut free the markhor.
Once freed, staff moved the unresponsive animal and tried to administer mouth-to-nose resuscitation and CPR.
The markhor could not be saved. A preliminary examination determined it broke its neck in the fall.
"This was a very unfortunate accident that happened while the markhor was playing with an enrichment device placed in the enclosure to provide mental stimulation," said Cathy Gaviller, Director, Conservation, Education and Research. "It had been there for several years, but somehow the markhor managed to get the rope tangled around its neck and then lost its footing."
Zoo officials say staff immediately attended to the animal once it was notified.
Williams told CTV News it was her family who tried to get the attention of zoo staff, but claim it was several minutes before anyone showed up.
"People were horrified, there were people that were shocked. I mean it was kind of a disturbing scene to see a goat hanging by its neck."
The Calgary Zoo says it is very saddened by the death.
A full post-mortem will be conducted over the weekend.
The device has been removed from the enclosure while staff examines all similar exhibits and reassesses enrichment objects to ensure they are safe.
