Ozone kills 10 sharks at US zoo

2006-02-07 10:44

Pittsburgh - Ten sharks died when ozone was accidentally pumped into their tank at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium, zoo officials said on Monday.

The incident is the latest in a series that have plagued the shark tank since the exhibit opened nearly six years ago.

The sharks and a puffer fish were affected on Saturday. Staffers noticed the problem almost immediately, but weren't able to save the animals, zoo officials said.

Ozone is used to purify water, but high levels of it can be toxic. The ozone was accidentally introduced into the tank when the sharks and other fish were in it.

"We are in the process of conducting a thorough investigation into the incident and any necessary changes will be made immediately," said Barbara Baker, the zoo's president and chief executive officer.

"The initial investigation indicates that human error is likely to have played a part in the accident," the zoo said.

In October 2002, six bonnethead and two black-tip sharks died from a variety of causes at the aquarium.

Five sharks died in separate incidents in April and December of 2000 when an ozone machine malfunctioned and a vendor accidentally put cyanide in their tank.

- AP