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Death Investigation At Albuquerque Zoo

  Authorities are investigating the death of one of four Tasmanian devils loaned to the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo by an Australian group.

The animal, named Jasper, was provided to the facility last year by the Healesville Sanctuary in Australia as part of an effort to start a breeding program for the endangered species.

The devils' population on the island of Tasmania south of the Australian mainland has been decimated by a form of cancer.

Jasper was discovered dead in his outdoor enclosure on Wednesday.

Investigators suspect the animal was killed by someone who hit it with a piece of asphalt that was found near its body.

They're asking anyone with information to come forward.

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Information from: Albuquerque Journal, http://www.abqjournal.com

Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.