SCOTTSBLUFF, Neb. (AP) — Zoo officials in Scottsbluff say a reaction to anesthesia killed a zebra foal that was going to be castrated.

The young zebra, named Olaf, was born earlier this year and was to be routinely castrated last week. But Anne James, executive director of the Riverside Discovery Center in Scottsbluff, said Wednesday morning that Olaf had “an unanticipated reaction” to the anesthetic and died immediately, without suffering.

James says the procedure has been done many times by the local veterinarian who’d been called in. She says the vet is certified with the Association of Zoo Veterinarians.

Olaf’s parents live at the zoo, and James says it’s hoped that when they mate again they’ll produce another foal.