Zebra crashes into gate, dies at Columbus Zoo

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A zebra at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium was found dead after it apparently crashed into a gate in her habitat, the zoo announced.

The zoo said in a social media post that the zebra, named Paula, was found in one of the zoo’s outdoor yards in its Heart of Africa region. The post did not say exactly when the incident occurred.

“Paula was cherished for her spirited personality and the joy she brought to guests and staff alike,” the post says. “Her passing is a difficult loss for all of us, especially the Heart of Africa animal care team who worked so closely with her every day.”

The zoo says zebras are a “flight species” and can startle easily. It says there were no signs of “outside disturbances, altercations, or health concerns among the rest of the herd.”

The zoo sa