Baby snow owls die at Akron Zoo; births were a first for wildlife park

The Akron Zoo has lost its baby Snowy Owls.

The zoo announced Wednesday that the pair of snowy owlets died on Tuesday.

The birth of the owls on July 31 and Aug. 3 were a cause for celebration at the zoo as it was the first hatching of snowy owl owlets at the Akron Zoo.

The zoo said animal autopsies were performed but the results were inconclusive.

Akron Zoo wild bird effort:Zoo looks to work with communities and business leaders to help save native wild birds.

The zoo noted that the pathology results are being sent out for further review as there were no signs of trauma, injury or illness with the owlets.

The parents, Frost and Cirrus, are in good health and remain on public display.

Snowy owls are listed as vulnerable to extinction.

The species also has a 33 percent mortality rate in an owl's first year.

“We are heartbroken at the sudden passing of our two owlets,” said Shane Good, senior director of animal care at the Akron Zoo, in a statement. “Our avian care team worked tirelessly to provide a comfortable environment for our snowy owls to breed, and we will continue to offer Frost and Cirrus the best care.

"The unexpected loss of our owlets is very deeply felt by our staff, who dedicate their lives to providing exceptional care to all our animal residents every day.”

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: First snowy owl owlets born at the Akron Zoo have died