Euthanasia Scheduled for Next Week
Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle announced on April 24th that Water Lily, affectionately known as Lily, will be euthanized next week after her health and quality of life have declined since her March cancer diagnosis. Her mobility has deteriorated, she is experiencing difficulty standing, and she struggles to get in and out of the pool.
Caregivers say Lily's decline is irreversible. Dr. Tim Storms, the zoo's animal health director, said euthanasia is "always incredibly difficult, but we determine that now is the best time to intervene before her bad days outnumber her good ones."
Lily's Life and Legacy
Born in 1978 at the Houston Zoo, Lily arrived in Seattle a year later. She has touched the lives of all who have cared for her, said Lauren Sutherland-Cook, the zoo's senior animal manager, in a press release.
"For those Lily trusted, you were privileged to know all her quirks, like how she loved to be scratched just under her chin and how her ears would twitch when she surfaced in the pool at the sound of your voice," Sutherland-Cook said.
In the wild, hippos typically live to be around 40 years old. According to Woodland Park, hippos can reach their 50s in zoos.
Lily shared her habitat at Woodland Park with Guadalupe, known as Lupe, a 25-year-old female hippo who arrived in 2003.
Plans for Guadalupe
Zoo staff are preparing to support Lupe and help her adjust. The zoo is also exploring options to place Lupe in another zoo where she could have companionship.
Woodland Park's Hippo Habitat
In a February 2020 newsletter, Woodland Park stated that the zoo's hippo habitat is over 40 years old and accounts for nearly 20% of the zoo's annual water usage. Zoo officials have indicated they do not intend to bring any new hippos to the zoo.
Visiting Lily
Those wishing to visit Lily have until April 28th, after which the zoo will temporarily close the hippo viewing area. Woodland Park says Lily will continue to enjoy her pool and outdoor habitat until then and will be visible to those who come to say goodbye.
The zoo asks that people refrain from leaving memorials at Lily and Lupe's habitat or elsewhere within the zoo, as these items can end up in the animals' habitats and cause harm.
People are encouraged to share memories, photos, or make a donation on the zoo's social media channels.