By Associated Press - Thursday, February 25, 2021

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (AP) - A fight between two jaguars at a Florida zoo left one of the big cats dead, officials said.

A 21-year female named Zenta died Saturday following a confrontation with a 12-year-old male named Harry at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens, the zoo announced in a news release.

“Zenta’s death is the result of a terrible mistake, and we are reviewing all aspects of this awful occurrence,” deputy zoo director Dan Maloney said in a statement. “Both jaguars were contained at all times and our team responded safely and swiftly.”

The fight occurred in a holding complex after Harry was brought in for an examination, officials said. Keepers tried to separate the animals but were unsuccessful. A special team was called to immobilize Harry, but Zenta was already dead by the time they arrived, officials said.

Zenta arrived at Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens in 2006 as a rescued animal from a private zoo, and Harry was born at the park in 2009.

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