Auckland City Council

Media release

1 October 2010

Auckland Zoo deeply saddened by loss of hippo Snorkel

Auckland Zoo is today mourning the loss of one of its oldest residents, 50-year-old female hippo, Snorkel

One of the oldest hippos in a zoo in the world, Snorkel’s health declined dramatically over the past three weeks.  Given her greatly reduced quality of life due to this decline, and following the Zoo exhausting all efforts to treat her, Snorkel was last night euthanased.

“This was a very carefully considered decision, made in consultation with our vet team and keeping staff.  While a tough call – especially for an animal such as Snorkel, who was born here, and has been so much part of the Zoo family – euthanasia was the only humane option,” says Auckland Zoo director, Jonathan Wilcken.

Mr Wilcken says, given the average life span of a hippo in a zoo is 40 – 45 years, Snorkel has had a great innings.

“Snorkel is an animal who has loved the social interaction of her keepers and delighted many visitors who have met her up close on our Zoom tours. She will be greatly missed by everyone here, and we’re sure, by those Zoo visitors who got to know her well over the years,” says Mr Wilcken.

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