One animal dead, nine under observation after fire Metro Richmond Zoo

One meerkat has died and other zoo animals are being closely monitored following a fire at the Metro Richmond Zoo Sunday night.

The zoo in Moseley, Virginia posted on social media confirming a large fire that occurred in work areas behind the scenes.

According to the zoo, a Metro Richmond Zoo employee called 911 to report the fire around 9:50 p.m. Sunday, which began in the workshop area and spread to the animal hospital, feed storage room and zookeeper service area.

The barrier to the kangaroo's habitat was also damaged in the fire, and a temporary fence has been installed. All animals in that habitat have been accounted for.

The fire was extinguished and the fire marshal is investigating the cause, according to the zo

Of the 10 animals that were in the buildings that caught fire, nine were rescued. Only the one meerkat did not survive, and a necropsy will be performed, the zoo said.

Despite the damage to some of the buildings, the Metro Richmond Zoo was scheduled to open for regular hours on Monday.

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