Saying Goodbye to ‘Fern’

Last month, we made the compassionate decision to euthanize our female wild boar ‘Fern’ following a period of declining health.

Despite ongoing medical treatment and adjustments to her husbandry, several age-related conditions were no longer responding to treatment and were impacting her quality of life. A necropsy confirmed multiple degenerative changes consistent with advanced age, including severe osteoarthritis in multiple joints, significant tooth wear and loss, declining kidney function, and cystic changes in the uterus.

Fern was born in April 2013 and joined our zoo family in November 2013 at just six months old. She lived to nearly 13 years of age, only weeks shy of her birthday, a remarkable lifespan for her species and a reflection of the dedicated, individualized care she received throughout her life. The median life expectancy for wild boar in human care is 12 to 14 years.

Throughout her time with us, Fern was a familiar and much-loved presence. Many guests enjoyed watching her wallow and observe her natural behaviours, and she held a special place with those who cared for her day to day. She will be deeply missed by her dedicated care team and our zoo community. As the last remaining wild boar in our care, Fern’s habitat is currently vacant and we are thoughtfully considering its future.

Our thoughts are with the ACHW team during this difficult time as we honour Fern’s life and celebrate her legacy as a beloved member of our zoo family.