Oldest hippo in North America dies

The Denver Zoo says it was forced to euthanize the oldest hippo in North America Monday morning.

Bertie, who was affectionately known as Bert, was 58-years-old.

The zoo says Bert’s quality of life was declining because of his advanced age. It says Bert’s appetite had decreased, he was losing interest in training sessions with zookeepers, had become reluctant to leave his pool and was having some difficulty walking.

“This is never an easy decision, but it was the right one. We’ll all miss him very much, but were glad he lived such a long, happy life here at the zoo,” says Denver Zoo Vice President of Veterinary MedicineScott Larsen.

Bert had lived at Denver Zoo longer than any other animal resident. He arrived at the Zoo on December 16 , 1958, from New York’s Central Park Zoo and was the first hippopotamus to ever reside at Denver Zoo. Bert is the father of every hippo calf born at the zoo. He only had two mates his entire life, and he fathered 29 hippopotamuses.

Denver Zoo is home to one other hippopotamus, Bertie’s 12-year-old son, Mahali.

Denver Zoo will have cards available for guests to sign at the hippo exhibit.