European Bellewaerde bison infected with deadly bacteria, park puts animals to sleep

After medical tests, the four European bison were found to be infected with a highly contagious bacterium, for which there is no cure yet. The contamination would eventually cause the animals to die a painful death. To prevent the infection from spreading to the rest of the bison, Bellewaerde Park decided to put the animals to sleep.

“An emotionally charged moment for the Bellewaerde-Team, and the zookeepers in particular, who had built up a strong bond with these animals over the years,” the amusement park said.