This time, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) has really outdone themselves.  Already known for their ridiculous stances against anything less than complete animal worship, the organization has now called for legal action against the Lake Superior Zoo.

From the Duluth News Tribune:

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals say that the Lake Superior Zoo was negligent in allowing 13 or 14 animals to die during the flood Wednesday, calling on Duluth City Attorney Gunnar Johnson to bring cruelty charges against the zoo.

However, Johnson said Thursday, his “very preliminary review” of the matter doesn’t indicate that charges are warranted.

No, the Duluth, MN-based Zoo didn’t neglect or harm their animals.  They didn’t starve the animals, beat them or house them in unfit conditions.  But when biblical rains brought historic flooding, the entire area was driven into chaos.  Sadly, several animals drowned during this tragic act of God.  A culvert near the zoo failed and caused a nearby creek to overflow during the flash flood.

Three birds — a turkey vulture, a raven and a snowy owl — plus six sheep, four goats and a donkey are believed to have died as Kingsbury Creek overflowed. However, Maida said, the raven, whose body wasn’t found, could have flown away. The polar bear, Berlin, and the zoo’s seals escaped their exhibits. Berlin was tranquilized and taken to a quarantine area. Both seals were recaptured after one of them apparently went through a culvert to the opposite side of Grand Avenue.

The polar bear and seals were temporarily transferred to Como Park Zoo & Conservatory in St. Paul.

Is it sad?  Yes.  Does it require animal grief counselors?  NO.  In nature, animals face an untimely end in some cases and demanding justice simply because they were housed in a public facility is absurd.

More importantly, the city of Duluth faces at least an estimated $80 million in the cities public infrastructure.  Minnesota governor Mark Dayton has declared a state of emergency and may call the state legislature back into a special session to deal with emergency aid for the flooded areas.

Miraculously enough, there were no known human fatalities from this disaster.  For that, I am thankful.

May the critters rest in peace; but for the love of all that is good and NORMAL, demanding legal action for animal cruelty against the Lake Superior Zoo over animal drownings is nothing short of insane.  And hey…. at least Obama didn’t eat them, right?

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Here are a few photos of the damage:

Derek Montgomery, Minnesota Public Radio

Photo John Goodge, Minnesota Public Radio

Photo: Minnesota Brown