Harry the hippo will be missed at Werribee Zoo after he was euthanized on Monday the 12th of May. He had fallen foul of a long time foot condition which could not be cured.
Zoo veterinarians had been treating him extensively but despite this they were no longer able to prevent the condition from worsening. Vets and keepers have provided him the highest level of care possible to make his final days better.
The zoo stated ‘We are all very sad about the loss of Harry but his condition had begun to affect his quality of life and this decision was in his best interests.’
Dedicated keepers have spent years giving Harry footbaths, medications and other treatments since the condition was first diagnosed.
Keepers had noticed that as Harry got older the condition worsened. Over the past couple of days he had worsened. He stopped eating and was finding it difficult to stand. Pain relief and medication became unhelpful so keepers made the difficult decision to euthanize Harry.
Harry was one of the zoo’s oldest residents having been at the zoo since moving there one year after the zoo opened. He was born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo during 1978.
Photo Credit: Werribee Zoo
