Grumpy died in 2002 after she was fatally injured in a confrontation with the zoo's two other remaining elephants Maxine and Patty. The AZA accredits more than 200 zoos in the U.S., including the Bronx Zoo. Self - Clinical Resident 11 . Susan Schmid is still alive but the fans are speculating that she has cancer. Please be respectful of copyright. The Bronx Zoo team has shared Nadias diagnostic information widely with the zoo and scientific community, Calle says. Until now, Schmid has not shared the reason behind her shaved head. The action, filed Monday in Manhattan, said Robin Silverman, 24, was killed by two tigers in an outdoor exhibit area that was a trap, nuisance and menace, said Harry Lipsig, lawyer for Miss Silvermans father, Sol. See production, box office & company info, Self - Collection Manager, Program Animals, Bronx Zoo - 2300 Southern Boulevard, Bronx, New York City, New York, USA. Scientists just confirmed a 30-foot void first detected inside the monument years ago. Travel alongside Sue the Bird Lady to wild places. Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2023. The 'extreme cruelty' around the global trade in frog legs, What does cancer smell like? Four more tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo in New York City have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, the zoo announced Wednesday afternoon, following a National. ), John Goodrich, chief scientist and tiger program director at Panthera, a global big cat conservation organization, is concerned for wild tiger populations. Judge Rules That Bronx Zoo's Happy The Elephant Is Not "Unlawfully Imprisoned", We rely on your support to make local news available to all, Robbery at Bronx bodega and shooting at UES deli thought to be linked, police say, Amtrak agrees to adjust service to accommodate MTA project for Bronx, Penn Station, Overdose prevention centers save lives but remain in legal limbo, as NYC moves toward expansion, Overdoses of two men leaving Manhattan gay bars last spring found to be homicides, A man is dead after an encounter with police in New Jersey. It is my mission to save birds by bringing awareness and connection to others. Bronx Zoo for future conservation management programs. We are made to know about this on October 10, 2021. Heres the technology that helped scientists find itand what it may have been used for. The brooder is often full of baby birds that need to be hand-raised and fed every other hour or a fledged-too-soon chick that was not getting adequate attention from the parents. "The toucan featured in tonight's premiere of THE ZOO on @AnimalPlanet had a pretty rough time of it until he was rescued & came to live with us @BronxZoo He was lucky. Experts have warned that they may be particularly susceptible to coronavirus. Four more tigers and three lions at the Bronx Zoo in New York City have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19, the zoo announced Wednesday afternoon, following a National Geographic inquiry. Most animals snatched from the wild for the illegal trade either die from stress or have miserable short lives" Sometimes Susan goes by various nicknames including Susan C Schmid and Susan Catherine Schmid. All rights reserved. Posts by Susan Leiter. The birth of a little blue penguin causes a sensation at the Bronx Zoo; the veterinary team scrambles to figure out what is wrong with Snowball, a snow leopard; the exhibits team designs an exhibit for the newly arrived blue iguana. Riemer said he had no knowledge of the suit and no comment. They sent the samples for testing to the New York State Diagnostic Laboratory at Cornell University and the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. She acquired her biology certification from Natural Resource Management Vocational Program. Scientists now are rushing to learn what other species may be able to be infected by it. At about 10 a.m., shortly before the zoo's Wild Asia exhibit was due to open, Silverman unlocked two doors and, along with Barbara Burke, 21, a volunteer aide, proceeded to walk into the two-acre enclosure. Facebook gives people the power to. It is not clear when the additional tests on the three lions and four tigers were conducted or when the zoo received the results; a zoo spokesperson did not respond to questions about the timing. The court rejected NhRP's ill-conceived attempt to have an elephant at the Bronx Zoo, Happy, declared a 'person,' entitled to protection under the writ of habeas corpus. Why wetlands are so critical for life on Earth, Rest in compost? You might recognize me from the Bronx Zoo where I appeared on Animal Planet's The Zoo. The NYPD is investigating whether the person who fatally shot someone at an Upper East Side bodega on Friday went on to rob a Bronx bodega soon afterward. April 05, 2020. While its becoming clear humans can pass the disease to some animals, there is currently no evidence that animals can spread the novel coronavirus to people, both the USDA and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say. . In the latest trailer of The Zoo, Schmid appeared with a shaved head. Bats and agaves make tequila possibleand theyre both at risk, This empress was the most dangerous woman in Rome. I suspect that there are other cases, and now that were sharing this information I have a hunch other likely cases will turn up.. Heres why each season begins twice. While not recognizing the personhood argument, Tuitt's decision sympathized with the idea of transferring Happy from the zoo to a dedicated elephant sanctuary as "extremely persuasive. Please received our heartfelt condolences. As a keeper I am surrounded by amazing animals. This comes the same day as two pet cats in New York become the first in the U.S. to test positive. The zoo has been closed to visitors since March 16. Nevertheless, like in any other line of work there are days it is difficult to find a smile or days so busy it is almost impossible to find a few moments to grab a bite to eat. Its those whispers that remind me how fortunate I am to spend my day doing what I do. When does spring start? The Bronx Zoo has announced that it would be ending the elephant exhibit once one or two of their remaining animals diedadmitting that it would be inhumane to sustain the exhibit with just one animal, or two that didn't get along. Susan Schmid has been working as a Assistant Supervisor of Ornithology at Wildlife Conservation Society for 8 years. [UPDATED 4/22/20] On April 5, 2020, the Wildlife Conservation Society's Bronx Zoo released a statement that Nadia, a 4-year-old female Malayan tiger at the Bronx Zoo, has tested positive for COVID-19. Sue Schmid candels a golden headed quetzal egg. She is a highly educated and certified personnel. Release Dates SUSAN SCHMID OBITUARY. Her well-being is assured by our dedicated staff and all the expertise they bring in providing excellent care for her for more than 40 years.". She has worked for the bird department for 24 years as a wild animal keeper. Showing 1 - 1 of 1 results. Is Sue Still at the Bronx Zoo? This is exhausting physically, mentally, and emotionally. "Nonetheless, we are constrained by the caselaw to find that Happy is not a "person" and is not being illegally imprisoned. A mans world? | The big cats likely contracted the coronavirus from an infected but asymptomatic zookeeper whose identity is unknown, Calle says: Its the only thing that makes sense. Calle says. Gothamist is a website about New York City news, arts, events and food, brought to you by New York Public Radio. November 17, 2014 Becoming Part of the Flock. Wildlife Conservation Society It is imperative that we use every opportunity we can to inspire visitors to appreciate wildlife and their natural habitats.. Official Sites One of Earth's loneliest volcanoes holds an extraordinary secret. A lot of effort goes into ensuring that our birds are either growing up healthy and hitting all their developmental stages or regaining their health during their recuperation period. The team took samples at the zoo, after sedating Nadia. In a tweet, the NhRP said they would appeal. Sue went on to work at America's best zoos and aquariums for the next twenty-five years including the Bronx Zoo where she appeared on Animal Planet's The Zoo for five hit seasons. He said the workmens compensation law prevented naming the zoo as a defendant in the suit filed in state Supreme Court, which is New Yorks trial- level court. But the zoo has said that Happy shows "no signs of physiological or psychological stress," and maintains a close bond with her caretakers. Self - Director, Bronx Zoo 23 episodes, 2017-2019 Annie Rivas . Well, that and the baby birds of course. How did this mountain lion reach an uninhabited island? Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily. If COVID-19 jumps to wild big cat populations and becomes a significant cause of mortality, the virus could develop into a very serious concern for the future of these species., Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. After developing a dry cough in late March, Nadia, a four-year-old Malayan tiger, was tested for the virus on April 2, according to Calle. Sending Happy to an animal sanctuary could be traumatic if she lost those bonds, according to the zoo's conservationists. Self - Director, Bronx Zoo 23 episodes, 2017-2019 Annie Rivas . "They continued to provide expert care to the. Photograph by Andrew Lichtenstein, Corbis via Getty Images. Lisa Walker is the provisional senior wild animal keeper in the Ornithology Department at the Wildlife Conservation Societys Bronx Zoo in New York City and a member of the American Association of Zookeepers (AAZK). if [the virus] can go from people to big cats, the most important thing we can do is test the people., Although Ashe says hes confident that accredited AZA facilities will continue to actively monitor the threat, hes concerned for the big cats at the many substandard roadside zoos around the United States: Anybody who has watched Tiger King, you think a facility like that would be able to respond in an appropriate way to information like this? The majority of those zoos dont have veterinarians on staff, and its unlikely tests would be done, Ashe said. Big cats like tigers and lions are already facing a litany of threats to their survival in the wild, Goodrich says. Not according to biology or history. The action, filed Monday in Manhattan, said Robin Silverman, 24, was killed by two tigers in an outdoor exhibit area that was ''a trap, nuisance and menace,'' said Harry Lipsig, lawyer for Miss Silverman . And the cub-petting and close contact offered by these facilities is is troublesome in best of circumstances, he says, let alone at a time when the CDC and USDA are recommending maintaining distance among humans, and between humans and cats. Can we bring a species back from the brink? The well-being and care of the animals is always our highest priority. . It forced the audience to assume that she is suffering from some illness. Can we bring a species back from the brink?, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Filming & Production A Pomeranian and a German shepherd in Hong Kong, as well as a domestic cat in Belgium, have also tested positive. You can see the Bronx Zoo's colony of little penguins at the Aquatic Bird House. susan schmid bronx zoo illness. The Zoo (TV Series 2017- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Every day we choose to put the needs of the animals in our care above our own. | Shes a zookeeper! Other. Article . National Geographic contacted the Bronx Zoo seeking more information on April 22. Animal care is synonymous with sacrifice whether the caretaker is a zoo keeper, a vet tech, a kennel worker, or anyone else who is working closely with animals. (Read about the difference between accredited zoos, roadside zoos, sanctuaries, and pseudo-sanctuaries here. Technical Specs, See agents for this cast & crew on IMDbPro, Self - Collection Manager, Program Animals, Self - Collection Manager, Animal Encounters, Self - Chief Architect, Wildlife Conservation Society, Self - Director of Conservation and Science, NYC Audubon, Self - Head of Radiology, Animal Medical Center, Self - New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Self - Game Officer and Kihansi Spray Toad Keeper, Self - Special Assistant Professor - Animal Reproduction, Colorado State University, Self - Cardiologist, Mount Sinai Hospital, Self - General Curator, New York Aquarium, producer / senior producer (32 episodes, 2017-2019), executive producer: Animal Planet / executive producer (31 episodes, 2017-2021), associate producer / field producer (24 episodes, 2018-2019), executive producer (23 episodes, 2017-2019), supervising producer: Animal Planet (23 episodes, 2017-2019), executive producer / co-executive producer (23 episodes, 2017-2019), supervising producer / story producer / co-executive producer (22 episodes, 2017-2019), supervising producer / supervising story producer (18 episodes, 2017-2018), field producer / associate producer (17 episodes, 2017-2018), executive producer (15 episodes, 2018-2019), story producer / story producer (12 episodes, 2018-2019), associate producer (11 episodes, 2018-2019), associate producer / story producer (5 episodes, 2019), production manager (41 episodes, 2019-2021), director of production management: Animal Planet / vice president - production management: Animal Planet (23 episodes, 2017-2019), post-production supervisor (23 episodes, 2017-2019), senior vice president: post-production: Left/Right / senior vice president: head of post-production: Left/Right (23 episodes, 2017-2019), production manager (3 episodes, 2017-2018), production manager (11 episodes, 2017-2018), associate production manager: Animal Planet (10 episodes, 2018), associate production manager: Animal Planet (8 episodes, 2017), scenic painter (uncredited) (4 episodes, 2017), audio supervisor (22 episodes, 2017-2019), post-production audio mixer / re-recording mixer / re (17 episodes, 2017-2020), re-recording mixer / post-production audio mixer (12 episodes, 2018-2020), post-production audio mixer / re-recording mixer (7 episodes, 2017-2019), post-production audio mixer (2 episodes, 2018), camera operator / assistant camera (19 episodes, 2017-2019), camera operator / assistant camera (17 episodes, 2017-2019), assistant camera (uncredited) (8 episodes, 2017-2019), director of photography: second unit (uncredited) (1 episode, 2017), assistant editor (23 episodes, 2017-2019), editorial coordinator (23 episodes, 2017-2019), assistant on-line editor (23 episodes, 2017-2019), logging coordinator (18 episodes, 2017-2018), lead assistant editor (10 episodes, 2018), composer: additional music (8 episodes, 2018-2020), music / Additional Music / additional music (9 episodes, 2020-2021), composer: additional music (5 episodes, 2020), composer additional music / composer: additional music (4 episodes, 2019-2020), composer: additional music (2 episodes, 2017-2020), composer additional music (2 episodes, 2018-2019), composer: additional music (2 episodes, 2020), production music (uncredited) (1 episode, 2018), composer: additional music (uncredited) (1 episode, 2018), rights and clearance supervisor (23 episodes, 2017-2019), digital media manager (23 episodes, 2017-2019), vice president: unscripted development: Left/Right (23 episodes, 2017-2019), deliverables coordinator / deliverables manager (23 episodes, 2017-2019), senior vice president - head of development: Animal Planet / vice president - head of development: Animal Planet (23 episodes, 2017-2019), vice president of production: Animal Planet / senior vice president of production: Animal Planet (23 episodes, 2017-2019), rights and clearance coordinator / senior rights and clearance coordinator (15 episodes, 2018-2019), production accountant (14 episodes, 2018-2019), rights and clearance coordinator (11 episodes, 2017-2018), general manager: Animal Planet (8 episodes, 2017), executive vice president: current and development: Left/Right (8 episodes, 2017), production coordinator (8 episodes, 2017), director: current production: Left/Right (8 episodes, 2017), senior vice president: business & legal affairs: Left/Right (5 episodes, 2019), production coordinator: Animal Planet (5 episodes, 2019), production coordinator (4 episodes, 2017), production assistant (uncredited) (10 episodes, 2018), transcriber (uncredited) (3 episodes, 2018). The diagnosis of the tiger, named Nadia, represented the first time, to our knowledge, that a [wild] animal has gotten sick from COVID-19 from a person, Paul Calle, chief veterinarian for the Bronx Zoo, said April 5. Nadia was featured in the 2017 series premiere of Animal Planet's THE ZOO, which took audiences behind the scenes of the world . Considering whats going on in New York City, we of course did the COVID testing, Calle said. The new year once started in Marchhere's why, Jimmy Carter on the greatest challenges of the 21st century, This ancient Greek warship ruled the Mediterranean, How cosmic rays helped find a tunnel in Egypt's Great Pyramid, Who first rode horses? We did not design it.. View the profiles of people named Susan Schmid. The groundbreaking promise of cellular housekeeping. ", Jim Breheny, Director of the Bronx Zoo and EVP of Zoos & Aquarium at the Wildlife Conservation Society, said in a statement that the decision is sound: We are pleased with the Bronx County Supreme Courts decision today to dismiss the Nonhuman Rights Projects petition. substandard roadside zoos around the United States: Read about the difference between accredited zoos, roadside zoos, sanctuaries, and pseudo-sanctuaries here, -New coronavirus can spread between humansbut it started in a wildlife market, -Trafficked pangolins can carry coronaviruses closely related to pandemic strain, -Fake animal news abounds on social media as coronavirus upends life. John Shea, treasurer of the Barney company, said, We installed all the equipment necessary for these outdoor cages in accordance with the plans and specifications. The premiere kicks off with a variety of new animals making new homes at the Bronx Zoo, including a herd of Bactrian deer fawns coming from Ohio, a young red kangaroo named Troody, and a keel . Susan Schmid Bronx Zoo Death Hoax, What Happened To Susan Schmid? NEW YORK (AP) _ The designer and builder of a tiger cage at the Bronx Zoo have been named in a lawsuit seeking $50 million for the family of a junior zookeeper who was mauled to death in July. In the past, animal advocacy groups have accused the Bronx Zoo of mistreating its elephants, citing cold winters and cramped cages, as well as Happy's isolation. Missing out year after year on holidays, family events, and traditional weekends are a part of the gig. "The dedication of our essential zoo and aquarium staff has never been more apparent than in Season 5," said Jim Breheny, Bronx Zoo Director. The roughly 5,000-year-old human remains were found in graves from the Yamnaya culture, and the discovery may partially explain their rapid expansion throughout Europe. Old cells hang around as we age, doing damage to the body. https://insideeko.com/susan-schmid-bronx-zoo-death-hoax-wh/ insideeko.com The Nonhuman Rights Project sued the Bronx Zoo in 2018, demanding recognition of Happy's legal personhood and her right to bodily liberty, and called for her to be transferred to an elephant sanctuary . But the U.S. Department of Agriculture subsequently updated an online database with information that a lion in New York had also been confirmed as testing positive for the virus on April 15. . Susan Schmid . In fact, Happy is not kept in isolation she has contact with another elephant; Happy is not languishing; Happy is not kept indoors for half the year; Happy is well cared for by professionals with decades of experience," Breheny said in the statement, and added, "The Bronx Zoo takes excellent care of Happy and will continue to do so, along with all animals here at the zoo. Editors note: This story was first published on April 5, 2020. Initially it did not plan to test the other cats showing symptoms, because doing so would require sedation, which can be dangerous. The volunteer escaped harm by climbing a 16-foot fence. These skeletons may have the answer, Scientists are making advancements in birth controlfor men, Blood cleaning? It is not the same type of test that health care providers give to people, Calle said, so there is no competition for testing between these very different situations., The zoo has all eight catsone of which is not showing symptomsunder veterinary care and expects them to recover, the Wildlife Conservation Society statement says. (Its believed the virus infecting humans likely developed from a very closely related coronavirus found in bats.). Susan Schmid was born on 10/21/1966 and is 56 years old. The court rejected NhRPs ill-conceived attempt to have an elephant at the Bronx Zoo, Happy, declared a 'person,' entitled to protection under the writ of habeas corpus. She is going to feed the animals! Or my all-time personal favorite (heard while soaked in sweat, scrubbing a penguin pool): Look kids, its a Zookeeperus americanus in her natural habitat.. WCS saves wildlife and wild places worldwide through science, conservation action, education, and inspiring people to value nature. "NhRPs continued failed attempts to grant habeas corpus to animals demeans all the people who have sought such relief.". Susan SCHMID, Supervisor | Cited by 2 | of Wildlife Conservation Society, NY (WCS) | Read 1 publication | Contact Susan SCHMID . Self - Assistant Supervisor, Ornithology 7 episodes, 2017 . The Zoo (TV Series 2017- ) cast and crew credits, including actors, actresses, directors, writers and more. Happy, a 49-year-old Asian elephant called the zoo's "loneliest elephant" by the NY Times, has been living on her own for more than a decade. I get great satisfaction seeing a bird leave the Brooder room whether it is on to the next stage of their growth in a larger space to gain flight muscle or back to the exhibit they came from because they are feeling better. The latest commentary from the Wildlife Conservation Societys zoos and aquarium, including the world-famous Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo. | Several domestic animals have tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, including two cats in New York Statethe first in the United States, the USDA announced today. None of the zoos other big catsincluding snow leopards, cheetahs, a clouded leopard, an Amur leopard, and a pumaare showing symptoms. Likewise, Susan earned a degree in master gardener and horticulture science from the University of Kentucky. These animals can sniff it out. The birth of a little blue penguin causes a sensation at the Bronx Zoo; the veterinary team scrambles to figure out what is wrong with Snowball, a snow leopard; the exhibits team designs an Read allThe birth of a little blue penguin causes a sensation at the Bronx Zoo; the veterinary team scrambles to figure out what is wrong with Snowball, a snow leopard; the exhibits team designs an exhibit for the newly arrived blue iguana.The birth of a little blue penguin causes a sensation at the Bronx Zoo; the veterinary team scrambles to figure out what is wrong with Snowball, a snow leopard; the exhibits team designs an exhibit for the newly arrived blue iguana. Company Credits Miss Silverman was killed July 29 when she and a volunteer entered one of the enclosures for what the zoo described as part of her daily routine of cleaning the exhibit and removing uneaten food. How a zoo break-in changed the life of an owl called Flaco, Naked mole rats are fertile until they die, study finds. Donate today, Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations, A Bronx County Supreme Court judge has dismissed a petition that argued an elephant living alone at the Bronx Zoo has had her "personhood" violated by being "unlawfully imprisoned.". Become a Virtual Member. Eco-friendly burial alternatives, explained. Unauthorized use is prohibited. . In doing so, the court . Because this phenomenon is new, Calle said, there are many unanswered questions, including whether tigers and lions are more susceptible to coronavirus than other animals. The birth of a little blue penguin causes a sensation at the Bronx Zoo; the veterinary team scrambles to figure out what is wrong with Snowball, a snow leopard; the exhibits team designs an exhibit for the newly arrived blue iguana. Susan was born in the Bronx and grew up in the area visiting the WCS's Bronx Zoo every year. Join Facebook to connect with Susan Schmid and others you may know. an elephant living alone at the Bronx Zoo, The Nonhuman Rights Project sued the Bronx Zoo in 2018. Lipsig said the architect of the zoos Wild Asia exhibit, Herbert W. Riemer of Great Neck, and the construction company, W.J. Susan Schmid is the staff/ animal keeper at Bronx Zoo. When Nadia started showing symptoms, the veterinary team did a number of diagnostic tests and blood work. The USDA did not respond to National Geographics request for comment by press time. Both wild and domestic cats had been known to susceptible to feline coronavirusbut until recently, it was unknown whether they could contract SARS-CoV-2. Susan Schmid Bronx, New York Senior Wild Animal Keeper at Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo Museums and Institutions Education University of Kentucky 2005 2006 Master Gardener, Horticultural Science Natural Resource Management Vocational Program 1983 1985 Certification, Biology Experience Wildlife Conservation Society/Bronx Zoo March 2015 - Present Dallas World Aquarium February . What Happened to Susan, Sue Schmid from the Bronx Zoo? Susan Schmid currently lives in Bronx, NY; in the past Susan has also lived in Oxford OH and Cincinnati OH. For more than the past decade, she's been held separately from the other elephants in a one-acre enclosure. I'm Sue Schmid. You were my favorite at The Bronx Zoo. A Star Is Born: With David Oehler, Susan Schmid, Nancy Gonzalez, Pat Thomas. And shortly thereafter the Wildlife Conservation Society, the nonprofit that runs the Bronx Zoo, issued a press release announcing that four additional tigers and three lions had tested positive. Some reports are circulating on social media that Susan Schmid, a Senior Wild Animal Keeper at the Bronx Zoo of the Wildlife Conservation.click to read and leave tributes. | Zookeepers around the country have been making extra efforts to protect great apes in their care, as great apes can easily catch respiratory illnesses from humans. Five of the zoo's tigers and three of its lions have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Self - Clinical Resident 11 . It was updated on April 22 with the news that four additional tigers, three lions, and two domestic cats also tested positive for the coronavirus. MEMORIAL EVENTS FOR SUSAN SCHMID. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention today issued new guidelines on the virus for pet owners, saying that while it does not recommend widespread testing at this time, it encourages cat owners to keep their cats indoors whenever possible. Ashe said that the AZA has helped distribute USDA information that cautions about the potential virus transfer from humans to felids, and Bronx Zoo information about increased safety measures, including wearing masks and goggles to protect animals and keeping a distance of six feet whenever possible. The zoo said she had failed to determine whether the tigers, who sleep elsewhere, were in any of their outdoor pens before she entered. For much of her life, Happy did have a partner named Grumpy, another Asian elephant. In the Bronx Zoos World of Birds Brooder Room, where I frequently spend a portion of my day, there is a constant flux of birds in and out that require a special dedication. This comes nearly three weeks after one tiger at the zoo was confirmed to have the virus and six other cats were said to be exhibiting symptoms. Happy was then briefly paired with a young elephant named Sammy, but he also died soon after contracted a liver disease and was euthanizedthe zoo's third elephant death in just four years, according to the Times. including the world-famous Bronx Zoo, New York Aquarium, Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and Queens Zoo. Susan Schmid Bronx Zoo Death Hoax, What Happened To Susan Schmid? Photo credit: Lisa Walker/WCS. Once the cataract is removed, Jaffa is reunited with the colony. Keepers early starts and late stays are important to making sure these birds are getting what they need. The suit also sought $40 million in punitive damages because, Lipsig said, in failing to take simple precautions and simple designs that would have safeguarded anybody in such a dangerous setup, they showed a reckless, wanton and willful disregard of human safety..