Roadrunner Killed At Garden City Zoo

A roadrunner at Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City has been euthanized after an apparent beating.

The Garden City Telegram reports that a visitor reported that something was wrong with one of the birds in the aviary on June 26th. General curator and deputy director Kristi Newland said the roadrunner was then transported to the zoo’s vet clinic.

Newland discussed what happened in a column published Friday in The Telegram. She said staff determined that bird needed to be euthanized because of "malicious trauma suspected to be from a member of the public."

Garden City Police Department Captain Michael Reagle says it appears the bird, named Elmer, was kicked or stomped on, or something was used to beat it.

Reagle says no suspects have been identified.