FRANKFORT, Ind. (WOWO) — Three animals have died at the TPA Park Aviary & Petting Zoo, prompting an investigation.

Zoo staff found a deer named Elliott and two chickens dead in a barn, with another deer in distress. Elliott was a favorite among staff, known for playfully swiping gloves and keys.

The surviving deer is being treated by Purdue veterinarians, while necropsies are underway to determine what caused the deaths.

The Department of Natural Resources, USDA, and Purdue experts are investigating alongside local police, who are reviewing footage from the zoo’s six security cameras.

Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets expressed sadness over the loss and emphasized that animal care policies are being reviewed. “The city takes full responsibility for the well-being of the animals in our care,” she said.

This comes on the heels of a USDA report citing multiple violations at the zoo, including the deaths of 78 birds in five months. The report noted that many birds were found dead with no follow-up exams conducted to determine why.