FRESNO, Calif. (AP) — Officials say nine horses and mules owned by the National Park Service died from a lack of water at a wildlife refuge.
The animals were found at the Pixley National Wildlife Refuge located about 70 miles southeast of Fresno last week.
National parks officials say the seven mules and two horses died of kidney failure when a water supply system at the refuge failed. The animals were used in Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks.
Two other animals, a horse and a mule, were taken to a veterinarian for treatment.
Parks officials say the incident will be thoroughly investigated.
