New Mexico Zoo Searching for Tasmanian Devil Killer

Jasper the Tasmanian devil was found dead in his cage.

ByABC News
October 18, 2014, 8:51 PM

— -- A murder at a New Mexico zoo has taken the life of a Tasmanian devil, an endangered species threatened with extinction.

Police are searching for an unidentified assailant they believe killed Jasper the Tasmanian devil, who was found dead in his cage at the Albuquerque BioPark Zoo earlier this week.

Jasper was found lying in his cage in a pool of blood, his skull cracked, zoo officials told ABC News' Albuquerque affiliate KOAT-TV.

Police say they believe Jasper died of blunt force trauma to the head. A piece of asphalt that did not belong there was found inside his cage.

It is unclear when Jasper was killed, officials said.

No suspects have been identified, but police do think Jasper was killed intentionally, according to a police report obtained by KOAT-TV.

Jasper and three other Tasmanian devils arrived in Albuquerque this past December on loan from Australia, the TV station reported.