On September 27, we said goodbye to ‘Zsa-Zsa’, our beloved 20-year-old Bactrian camel.
Born in 2005, Zsa-Zsa joined our zoo family as a six-month-old calf and spent nearly her entire life with us. The median life expectancy for Bactrian camels in human care is 17.8 years, making her two decades with us truly remarkable.
Recently, Zsa-Zsa developed sudden neurological issues, consistent with a possible stroke, that made it difficult for her to eat or drink on her own. Despite a week of supportive treatment and dedicated care from our Animal Care, Health & Welfare team, her condition did not improve, and the compassionate decision was made to euthanize her. Necropsy findings revealed a brain bleed near her pituitary gland and in the right ventricle of her cerebrum, with further testing underway.
Zsa-Zsa’s gentle nature, towering presence, and calm demeanor made her a beloved and cherished member of our zoo family. She brought joy to everyone who met her, and she will be profoundly missed by her caregivers and our entire community.