In a tragic incident at Brights Zoo in Limestone, Tennessee, a rare antelope named Lief has passed away after choking on a cap from a squeezable snack pouch that was left behind by a visitor. The unfortunate incident occurred on June 8, 2024, and despite the efforts of a veterinarian, the 7-year-old male sitatunga antelope could not be revived, as confirmed by a Brights Zoo official speaking to Fox News Digital.

The zoo promptly took to Facebook to announce the devastating news, expressing their grief over the loss of Lief. In the post, zoo officials highlighted the danger posed by such packaging to their animals, emphasizing that the colorful lid of the baby food pouch, though harmless to humans, could potentially be mistaken for food by the animals. In fact, Brights Zoo's rules explicitly state that they do not permit the entry of squeezable baby food pouches due to concerns for animal safety.

Despite the zoo's efforts to prevent such incidents by implementing bag searches, some visitors managed to sneak in these dangerous items. Zoo officials took the opportunity to remind visitors that they have the privilege of accessing their cars or the picnic areas in the parking lot and can re-enter the zoo multiple times if needed.

Lief had been a part of Brights Zoo since he was only 1 year old, and his untimely death has left the zoo staff and visitors deeply saddened. Facebook users expressed their condolences in the comment section of the announcement, with one woman criticizing the lack of regard for rules and the prioritization of personal convenience over the welfare of animals.

The incident also sparked a discussion among commenters regarding the overall safety within the animal enclosures. While acknowledging the specific danger posed by trash like squeezable pouches, one user mentioned the potential risk of any non-food trash finding its way into the animals' habitat.

Born on July 30, 2016, Lief had many years ahead of him, and his sudden demise has undoubtedly left a void at Brights Zoo. Fox News Digital reached out to the zoo for additional comments, but no response has been received as of yet.

This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of adhering to rules and regulations established at zoos for the safety and well-being of the animals. Visitors are urged to respect the guidelines put in place and exercise caution to prevent any harm from coming to these precious creatures in the future.