JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has cited the Jackson Zoo on several issues in an inspection report.

According to the report, some of the primate night house enclosures had surfaces that cannot be effectively cleaned. Officials also stated that there was “excessive” rust on the sliding metal doors in the spider monkey night house.

They also found the enclosure housing a hybrid macaw and four yellow-crowned Amazon parrots had a few wooden perches that were severely chewed and exposed a dozen metal nails. No birds have been injured, but the sharp points could be a hazard.

The report also found that some animal food was not being properly stored. A walk-in cooler was not working properly, and some fruit flies were observed in the cooler landing on uncovered food.


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The USDA also said there was evidence of widespread rodent activity in the shelter structures, as well as in the bulk storage area in the building where feed for the animals is stored.

The report stated that an adult male klipspringer was killed by an adult male Grevy zebra on March 23, 2024. The male klipspringer had been living in the same enclosure as the zebra for five years with no signs of incompatibility until March 2024.

USDA officials said on March 9, the zebra displayed signs of severe aggression, and the animals were separated temporarily. They were reintroduced, and the death occurred a few days later.

USDA Inspection Report on Jackson ZooDownload

According to the USDA, the inspection and exit interview were conducted with a facility representative.