21.   Zoo director Anne Baker said it is possible the grief Bud suffered in losing his mate may have further weakened his body and accelerated the advance of the disease.

22.   Zoo director Lucy Spelman emphasized their ecological mission, saying the zoo hoped the two would bolster support for preserving other endangered species.

23.   Zoo director Georgy Zarkua said Monday that money was needed to build a shelter and provide a guard for two surviving crocodiles.

24.   Zoo director Oleksiy Lepeshkov claimed the animals were poisoned by his jealous rivals.

25.   Zoo directors in this central Russian city have threatened to set free two tigers unless local administration provides money to feed them, a news agency said Thursday.

26.   Her mother was also born there, zoo director Alez Ruebel said.