People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals wants the USDA to investigate the recent death of a baby lemur at the Little Rock Zoo. It fell into a moat, was rescued and revived, but died of complications, possibly pneumonia.

PETA charges that the accident demonstrates a poorly designed lemur enclosure.

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UPDATE: Said Zoo spokeswoman Susan Altrui:

The Little Rock Zoo is 100% compliant with federal guidelines established by the USDA for the care and exhibit of animals.  The Zoo goes above and beyond those standards by maintaining accreditation with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.  PETA’s complaint is a cheap publicity stunt that capitalizes on our tragic loss of the baby lemur and is a desperate attempt to ride the coattails of the national attention given to our heroic Zoo staff who rescued the baby from the moat.  PETA does not have the credibility or the qualifications to question the adequacy of the Zoo’s lemur exhibit and is using the tragedy to exploit a very emotional situation.  Moated primate exhibits are common in zoos and serve as a safe, natural barrier between the animals and the public. The loss of the baby lemur is a tragic accident that is not common and not a result of negligence. 

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