Young hippo dies at Zoo
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Niles, a young hippo born on Christmas Day 2005, was found dead in his pen at The Zoo of Northwest Florida July 7.

A full medical report and lab results were completed July 11. The animal suffered a fatal injury zoo officials described as "a massive and severe puncture wound which crushed a rib and penetrated a lung." Officials believe the wound was inflicted by the animal's father, a large adult hippo named Kiboko. Zoo staff said the animals seemed to get along previously.

"All of us in the Northwest Florida community that follow our ZOO know there are moments of great joy as well as moments of great sadness in the day-to-day operations of a zoological park," said Natalie Akin with The Zoo.