千葉でゾウ２頭相次ぎ死ぬ　４頭も体調不良―「市原ぞうの国」

　千葉県市原市の動物園「市原ぞうの国」で、飼育中のゾウ６頭が相次いで体調を崩し、うち２頭が死んだことが１７日、同園への取材で分かった。同園は解剖や餌を調べるなどして原因究明を進めている。
　同園によると、１４日午後から飼育する１２頭のゾウのうち、６頭に食欲不振や下痢などの症状が見られた。投薬などの治療をしたが、３０歳と３５歳の雌のアジアゾウが１６日に死んだ。残る４頭は快方に向かっているという。
　同園の担当者は「突然で大変ショックを受けている。残されたゾウの回復に努めるとともに、二度とこのようなことがないよう原因を究明していく」と話した。（2021/05/17-18:55）

Two of six elephants have died after falling ill at a zoo in the eastern Japan prefecture of Chiba, zoo officials said on Monday.
   Animal Wonder Rezourt's Ichihara Elephant Kingdom in the city of Ichihara is currently investigating the cause of the deaths and poor health conditions, the officials said.
   Six of the 12 elephants at the zoo were found to be displaying loss of appetite, diarrhea and other symptoms from Friday afternoon. They were given medication and other forms of treatment.
   Two female Asian elephants, a 30-year-old and a 35-year-old, died Sunday. The other four elephants are recovering, according to the zoo officials.
   "We are extremely shocked by the sudden deaths," a zoo official said. "We'll nurse the remaining elephants back to health, as well as find out the reasons behind (the deaths and poor health conditions) so that we don't see the same thing happen again," the official said.