3 Animals Died At Ellen Trout Zoo In Lufkin This August

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• Sad month so far at the Ellen Trout Zoo.
• Life expectancy exceeded.
• Lots of birthdays too.

The Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin, Texas announced today that a Sinaloan Milksnake in their care has passed. Milky Way, formally known as "Dr. Milky Way", passed away at 22 years old.

He was an education ambassador for the Zoo, and many students will remember what they learned from him. He was the star of many Zoo Safari and Jr. Zookeeper programs.

Sinaloan milk snakes are one of the most easygoing, cuddly snakes. It's only natural that he would be a big hit with the students. Milk snakes typically live about 15 years in the wild and 20 years in captivity, and Dr. Way exceeded those expectations.

The Circle Of Life Continues At Ellen Trout Zoo

Earlier this month Penelope, a Linnaeus's two-toed sloth, passed away at the ripe old age of 26. She was a big hit with visitors in the small animal building.

Not only did she lead a long life at the Zoo, she also contributed to furthering her species, and has several offspring that live in other facilities.

Siris a blackbuck or 'Indian Antelope' also died this month. He was 15 years old and also in the upper range of life expectancy for the species.

It's Hot At The Ellen Trout Zoo In Lufkin

We are experiencing some weird weather right now. We haven't been this hot and dry for this many days in a row since 2011.

If we are hot outside, the animals are hot as well. Zoo Director, Gordon Henley, has assured me that they are taking every precaution to keep the animals cool.

I love the transparency of our zoo. If you don't hear about animals dying at other zoos, it's because they just don't tell anyone. Ellen Trout Zoo has had many births recently too; turtles and tapirs are flourishing there.