Maggie the hippo euthanized
Story By: Bea Karnes
Source: KOAA
The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo euthanized its beloved hippo Maggie over night. She was the matriarch of the hippo clan. The 34-year-old Nile hippopotamus was plagued with chronic lameness and arthritis.
The Zoo’s Director of Conservation and Animal Health, Dr. Della Garelle said, “The decision to euthanize Maggie was made due to her deteriorating body condition and the discomfort she was experiencing with her arthritis in her hind quarters. Her chronic lameness had resulted in a significant weight loss and a general loss of body condition. In the end, her age could have also been a factor in her down turn in health.” The life span for a hippopotamus is approximately 35-40 years.
Animal Care Manager Roxanna Breitigan said, “She was a tough old girl and was definitely grandma-in-charge. She had a good life and had a lot of babies. The Zoo’s vet and animal staffs did all that was possible to treat Maggie and keep her comfortable during her illness. Everyone loved Maggie, she will be missed so much.”
Maggie was born at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo on February 26, 1974 to parents Anthony and Cleopatra. During her life, she gave birth to ten calves at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. Maggie’s daughter Samantha, who was moved to the Denver Zoo, eventually gave birth to two granddaughters, 15-year-old Zambezi and eight-year-old Kasai, who were sent down to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo to keep their grandmother company.
