Woodland Park Zoo gazelle dies

A gazelle at Woodland Park Zoo has died from injuries believed to be caused by another animal.

Over the weekend, Ume, a 7-year-old male Grant's gazelle, was discovered with facial injuries, including a swollen eye. The zoo brought in a veterinary ophthalmologist who worked with zoo vets to treat the visible injuries.

But the gazelle died Tuesday and a post-mortem exam showed the animal also suffered trauma to the head and bruising to the heart and lungs.

Ume lived in the zoo's 4.5-acre African Savanna exhibit with three other gazelles, zebras, giraffes, oryxes and ostriches.

"This is not common in zoos," said zoo spokeswoman Gigi Allianic."They live day-to-day with each other, and they normally are compatible. We just don't know what happened."

The gazelle was obtained seven years ago from the Tulsa Zoo, where he was born. Grant's gazelles are native to East Africa, and remain widespread while other gazelle species are endangered or threatened.

The Woodland Park Zoo has no immediate plans to bring in another gazelle, Allianic said.

"This is very unfortunate," she said. "It's always sad to lose an animal."

Noelene Clark: 206-464-2321 or nclark@seattletimes.com