The Calgary Zoo is attributing the deaths of two recently acquired stingrays to a shipping problem.

Two cownose rays died this week.

They were part of a new shipment of stingrays that had just arrived at the zoo.

Zoo officials say the box and bag that carried the rays were damaged in transit, so the deaths were no surprise.

The rays were given antibiotics, but it was too late.

The zoo came under fire a year ago when 41 rays died shortly after an interactive exhibit opened.

Last month the zoo's president admitted that human error was to blame for those deaths.