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Zoo Miami on Dec. 12 announced the passing of “Britney,” the American crocodile who was rescued in Key Largo on Oct. 20 after enduring severe trauma. Britney had suffered from a spear wound to her skull, a bullet wound to her head, and ingested metal objects that led to lead toxicity in her blood.
Surgery was performed on Dec. 11 to remove the foreign metal objects found in her stomach which had been identified through radiographs and were contributing to dangerously high levels of lead in her bloodstream.
While the procedure was successful in removing the metal, Britney’s condition already was compromised. She was anemic and weakened by the trauma from the spear and gunshot wounds.
Following the surgery, Britney was placed in the zoo’s animal hospital to recover from the anesthesia. However, the following morning she was found to still be very lethargic, with lingering effects from the anesthesia. Recovery from general anesthesia can be especially challenging for cold-blooded animals like crocodilians, whose metabolism can fluctuate significantly, leading to complications. Unfortunately, the combination of her pre-existing injuries and anemia proved insurmountable, and tragically, she passed away in the afternoon.
The loss of the federally threatened animal serves as a heartbreaking reminder of the devastating consequences of illegal and cruel actions against wildlife, actions often driven by unfounded fear and ignorance. It also highlights the unintended harm that can result from the introduction of toxic substances into the environment, such as pellet gun ammunition, which can enter the food chain and negatively affect wildlife.
“While we mourn the loss of Britney, we also hope that her story serves as a poignant reminder that we share this planet with countless species that face increasing challenges to survive in a rapidly changing world,” said RonMagill, zoo spokesperson. “It is vital that we learn to coexist peacefully with wildlife, fostering understanding and respect, to prevent such tragedies from happening again.”
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