Utica Zoo Beaver Cauliflower Found Dead After Escape

Cauliflower, a two-year-old male American beaver who escaped from the Utica Zoo in April, was found dead after being struck by a car near French Road, approximately two miles from the zoo. His identity was confirmed through a microchip scan after a local resident brought his body back to the zoo. Cauliflower had entered a natural dispersal phase typical for young beavers, but lacking survival skills due to being raised in human care, he was vulnerable to dangers in the wild. The zoo and community volunteers conducted extensive searches and expressed their devastation at the loss while urging local residents to drive cautiously near waterways and wetlands to protect wildlife. Zoo officials are investigating how Cauliflower escaped and have taken steps to modify habitats for his siblings. The incident highlights the challenges faced by animals born in captivity when transitioning to natural behaviors amid shrinking habitats.