Natural Bridge Zoo gibbon, skink died after they were seized: Trial Day Four
This story is part of our ongoing coverage of The Natural Bridge Zoo's legal problems starting with a Dec. 6, 2023, search warrant. To catch up from the beginning, click here.
LEXINGTON – At least two of the 100 animals seized from Natural Bridge Zoo have died from chronic illnesses.
On Thursday, day four of the trial, the attorney representing Rockbridge County, Michelle Welch, continued presenting evidence on why the 100 animals seized from Natural Bridge Zoo should not be returned. Witness testimony in the morning revealed what has become of some of the seized animals.
During day three of the trial, there was discussion on whether or not Powhatan Commonwealth Attorney should appear before the court. Judge Christopher Russell required the attorney to present documents related to the case to the court or appear in person on Thursday morning. The Powhatan attorney, Rob Cerullo, did not appear Thursday morning.
Two animals died in the aftercare
In the morning, the Rockbridge County called three veterinarians who examined the animals after they were seized from the zoo.
Cheryl Antonucci testified that two animals passed away after coming to Metro Richmond Zoo. A skink, a type of lizard, was found dead on Jan. 15. The skink was on antibiotics for a potential respiratory infection, her health improving, but this is not what killed her.
According to the necropsy, the primary cause of death was gout, acidic crystals forming throughout her body. Antonucci testified the skink’s environment and diet were likely causes for the chronic illness. She agreed that the infection could have played a role, but the gout was the primary cause of death.
A male gibbon passed away on Feb. 5. A few days before, he was acting lethargic and not eating. After a few tests, staff started a round of antibiotics. According to Antonucci, the party giving him antibiotics did not do so the evening of Feb. 4. The next day, with a member of staff in the room, the gibbon went into arrest and passed away.
The necropsy showed he had gastro-intestinal issues, the likely cause of death being intestinal gut bacteria passing into other organs. This was likely a chronic disease, meaning he would look better or worse depending on the day.
The treating staff had an additional worry with the gibbon when his female counterpart received a positive preliminary tuberculosis test. However, results from antigen tests, and a bacteria culture test Antonucci received Thursday morning, showed the gibbon did not have tuberculosis. The male gibbon did not test positive for TB at any point.
Four seized snakes, a Burmese python, a potential Burmese python hybrid, and two ball pythons, were placed on antibiotics and had abnormal shedding skin removed. Antonucci testified that each recovered.
Of the tortoises mentioned in yesterday’s reporting, Antonucci testified they were in good health by the time she saw them on Dec. 15.
Beaks are broken
The sacred ibis mentioned in the search warrant application was sent to Ellen Bronson and the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.
Veterinarians attempted to trim the beak back, getting it more in place, but were unable to make much of a difference. Bronson testified that the bird typically eats by picking things up with its bottom beak and flinging it back into its mouth.
This type of injury is typically fixed not long after it happens, Bronson testified. In order to fix it now, for an adult bird, the beak will be amputated, and a prosthetic put in place. The procedure has not been done, awaiting the outcome of the circuit court case.
Another sacred ibis with Bronson had a broken bottom beak, serious enough to require surgery.
Bronson called both birds “handicapped,” but their health as improved. Bronson testified staff had to recently reduce the amount of food given because both were getting too “plump.”
Antonucci testified male ground hornbills had broken beaks, both older breaks.
The infant’s capuchin’s mother is recovering
A capuchin monkey named Anne was the mother of the 100th animal seized, an infant monkey. Suzanne Billiar with Rainbow River Animal Hospital remotely testified Anne was still in rough shape when she was examined on Jan. 3.
Her tail was “totally devoid” of hair, with “knobby” sections coming from old injuries. She was dehydrated. Urine was “caked” on her tail and had to be cleaned. She had wounds that anywhere from months to weeks old still healing.
Calcium levels in a capuchin’s blood are typically over double their phosphorus levels – for Anne, her elevated phosphorus levels were higher than her normal calcium levels. While no direct testimony was offered to this in the morning, phosphorus can be found in urine and ammonia, the heavy smell of which was found in the building mentioned in yesterday’s coverage.
After questions from defense attorney Aaron Cook, Billiar testified the urine “caked” on her tail and missing hair could have come from carrying and caring for the infant. She readily offered environmental conditions, diet lack of sunlight, or scurvy from lack of vitamin C as other possible causes.
Although Billiar’s staff considered separating the infant from Anne so she could recover, this was not done. The infant splits its time between Anne and its father, a capuchin named Henry.
Billiar testified monkey biscuits could be a complete diet for a capuchin monkey, with fruits and vegetables being encouraged rather than required. This is in contrast with testimony from Dominguez, who said the biscuits must have vegetable and fruit supplements.
Powhatan supplies documents
Rob Cerullo did not appear in the Rockbridge County Circuit Court on Thursday morning.
Sealed and unsealed documents were filed in the court after Wednesday morning’s debate on if Powhatan County Sheriff’s Office was a party to the suit.
Included in the filings are timecards for Sgt. Christine Bozcar of sheriff’s office.
In speaking with The News Leader, defense attorney Erin Harrigan clarified Cerullo would not have testified, but would have appeared as either a party or nonparty counsel attorney if he had not supplied the documents on Wednesday.
Lyra Bordelon (she/her) is the public transparency and justice reporter at The News Leader. Do you have a story tip or feedback? It’s welcome through email to lbordelon@gannett.com. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.
This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Natural Bridge Zoo gibbon, skink died after they were seized: Trial Day Four
