Grim End for Antelopes from Czech Zoo: South Africa

Johannesburg: South African officials say eight antelopes sent to Johannesburg from a zoo in the Czech Republic were slaughtered because they were illegally imported and there was a risk that the animals could bring a disease into the country.

The Prague zoo blames the Johannesburg zoo for the deaths of the sitatunga antelopes. It says documents for the antelope were in order and that the Johannesburg zoo passed itself off as the importer even though it was acting on behalf of a private breeder.

Johannesburg zoo representatives say they plan to make a statement later Wednesday.

Animal welfare officers say the antelopes were held in Johannesburg for more than two days while officials decided their fate. They say the animals were kept in small crates, suffering dehydration and abrasions.