Zoo will reopen exhibit where 16 stingrays died

[July 25, 2008]  BROOKFIELD (AP) -- A zoo in suburban Chicago plans to reopen an exhibit where 16 stingrays died last week when a malfunction let the tank's water get too warm.

Brookfield Zoo officials say the Sharks! at Stingray Bay exhibit will reopen Saturday.

More than half of the southern and cownose stingrays in the exhibit died July 14 when the water temperature rose from 79 degrees to 89 degrees.

Dan Wharton, senior vice president for animal programs, said Thursday a new surveillance system will check the pool's temperature every 10 minutes.

Staff also will make hourly checks at night. Two new transformers will keep power to the life support system at a constant voltage.

[Associated Press]

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