8-month-old Greater kudu dies at El Paso Zoo during vasectomy

An 8-month-old Greater kudu has died during a routine vasectomy procedure.

Mijo was born at the El Paso Zoo in January 2015.

“Mijo was very special to us. He was curious, smart and very tender,” said Christy Montes de Oca, Mijo’s trainer and Zoo Keeper. “It was very difficult to say goodbye to such a wonderful animal.”

Zoo officials say Mijo died Tuesday, Sept. 22 from aspiration during anesthesia. Zoo officials say it is a common threat to ruminant animals.

A ruminant animal is an herbivore that has a large multi-chambered stomach (like a cow, deer, or sheep). Ruminant gastrointestinal tracts allow an animal to ferment and digest fibrous plant material.

When Mijo started aspirating, staff immediately tried to do everything possible to keep Mijo from dying, including CPR after he stopped breathing.

“This is always a risk when we’re anesthetizing a ruminant animal, we take several steps during the procedure to decrease any risk of aspiration,” said Dr. Victoria Milne.

The vasectomy was scheduled to prevent him from impregnating his mother and sister who shared an exhibit with him.