"For the entire workforce, this loss is an incredibly tearful disappointment," writes the Luckenwalde zoo in a press release. The zoo in Brandenburg lost four Bennett kangaroos on Monday night. According to a statement, a predator gained access to the enclosure during the night. The search for clues quickly led to results: a large fox was identified as the culprit.

"The moat was frozen over overnight. The fox took advantage of this fact and entered the kangaroo enclosure via the neighboring deer enclosure," says zoo director Philipp Herrmann.

The four kangaroos had not lived in Luckenwalde for long. They have been there since September, and the new facility was only opened to visitors a month ago. In these four weeks alone, more than 6,000 people came to see the new animals, the statement said. It was the first time ever that there were kangaroos in the park.

Bennett's kangaroos actually live in southeastern Australia and Tasmania. They have a body length of 90 to 105 centimeters and a tail length of 70 to 75 centimeters. For comparison: A red fox, the only species of fox found in Germany, grows to be 40 to 50 centimeters high and 60 to 90 centimeters long.

The loss of the four kangaroos is particularly bitter for the zoo. "After three very tough and difficult years in which we laid the foundation for the future of our park, the kangaroos were the first reward for our guests and staff for their incredibly loyal support," Herrmann is quoted as saying in the statement.

As with any animal, the pain of this loss is very high. "Especially for the nurses and the guests, I am very sorry that we are now faced with a shambles." The director announced that he would focus on the safety of the park in the future: "Even if the pain will remain for a long time, we will now work on improving the protection of the animals on the facility."

Sources: Luckenwalde Zoo, Leipzig Zoo, Children's Network, German Wildlife Foundation