[Isn't it nice to be one of the "special" animals?]

<http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2008/03/14/news/031508arzoosickanim.txt>

12 animals in Zoo's children's farm to be euthanized

Last updated Friday, March 14, 2008 8:51 PM CDT in News
By The Associated Press

LITTLE ROCK - The Little Rock Zoo says 12 animals in its petting zoo have
contracted a digestive disease and will be euthanized. The zoo says the
children's farm will be closed until further notice.

Zoo veterinarian Marilynn Baeyens says the animals are infected with
Johne's Disease, which is also known as paratuberculosis.

The sick animals include one cow, four sheep and seven goats. The animals
have been quarantined from others in the exhibit to avoid the spread of
disease and will be euthanized, the zoo said.

The disease cannot be transferred to humans. The zoo says the disease is
transmitted when an animal eats or drinks the manure or milk of an
infected animal.