CALGARY - Dozens of cownose rays have mysteriously and suddenly died, closing the Calgary Zoo's new exhibit.
Thirty-four rays have died in total. Twenty-six were found dead Sunday and this morning, eight more died. Only nine remain, according to zoo officials.
The cause of death is unknown.
Youngsters watched as the school of cownose stingrays took center stage when the aquatic exhibit opened at the Calgary Zoo in February.
Staff noticed Sunday around 1 p.m. that the rays had lost their appetite and started changing colour - a reaction to stress. Half a dozen staff members began trying to revive the flagging rays but 26 died between 4:30 and 5:30 p.m.
The remaining rays are being monitored. Staff are puzzled by the sudden and mysterious demise of the creatures.
The cownose ray exhibit opened in February.
"What we do know is that there was no mechanical failure in the life support system," said Cathy Gaviller, the zoo's director of conservation, research and education.
"We know that all of the numerous water tests conducted on a daily basis since the exhibit opened have been consistently within normal range," she said. "We will be relentless in investigating the cause."
The exhibit is closed.
Stingrays die at Calgary Zoo
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Right. Cause the one day you were there for 10 minutes makes you an expert on the stingray line ups. 
Originally Posted by heavyfuel
