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Zoo Euthanizes 37-Year-Old Hippo
Spectrum
staff writer
Jewel,
the Sacramento Zoo's 37-year-old hippopotamus, has been euthanized
to prevent continued suffering from painful osteoarthritis, zoo officials
announced Friday morning.
The hippo had become unsteady on her legs due to the progressive disease,
and pain medication and other care could no longer be maintained comfortably,
the zoo said.
"She was such a great animal and a fixture at the zoo for so long," hoof
stock zookeeper Lindsey Moseanko said.
Moseanko has been Jewel's day-to-day keeper for the past 15 years.
"It was sad to watch her, every day, get worse and worse," she
said. "At the end, she wouldn't leave the water."
Jewel, born August 27, 1966, arrived at the Sacramento Zoo in April
of 1968.
"You can imagine how tough this decision was," zoo Director
Mary Healy said. "On one hand you have a magnificent hippopotamus
that has been a very special part of the zoo for 35 years; on the other
hand you see a friend beginning to suffer more and more each day and
you have done everything feasible to make her better."
Healy said donations made in Jewel's memory will be put toward the
building of the zoo's veterinary hospital.
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