The American zoo will euthanize the Lily hippo

The 45-year-old female hippo Water Lily, who has lived at Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle (USA), since 1979, will be euthanized next week.

Woodland Park Zoo's 1,360 kg Water Lily hippo chases a Halloween pumpkin. (Photo: Greg Gilbert / Seattle Times).

According to Seattle Times, Woodland Park Zoo said on April 24 that Water Lily, also known as Lily, has suffered a decline in health and quality of life - decreased mobility, unsteadiness and difficulty standing up. and out of the pool - after receiving a cancer diagnosis in March.

Caregivers say Lily's deterioration is irreversible. Dr Tim Storms, the zoo's director of animal health, said euthanasia was 'always very difficult, but we determined now was the best time to intervene to prevent further deterioration. The hippo's health is such that the bad days outnumber the good days.'

Lily was born at the Houston Zoo in 1978 and moved to Seattle a year later.

The Water Lily is the much-loved star of the Woodland Park Zoo. (Photo: Woodland Park Zoo).

Lily has become a part of the lives of all the keepers who have worked with her, the zoo's chief animal keeper, Lauren Sutherland-Cook, said in the press release.

'For those of you who are trusted by Lily, you have the privilege of knowing all the things she loves, such as 'she likes to be scratched most under her chin,' Lily's ears will wiggle when she floats in the pool while hear your voice calling' , Mrs. Sutherland-Cook said.

In the wild, hippos usually live to be about 40 years old. In zoos, they can live into their 50s, according to Woodland Park.

Lily lives in Woodland Park with Guadalupe, also known as Lupe, a 25-year-old female hippo who has been there since 2003.

Using hand signals and holding an apple, hippo keeper Matt Mills interacts with Guadalupe in the hippo enclosure at Woodland Park Zoo. Guadalupe, also known as Lupe, may find a new home after its companion, Water Lily, was euthanized. (Photo: Steve Ringman / Seattle Times).

Zoo staff are preparing a plan to support Lupe and help the animal adapt. The zoo also said staff are evaluating options to move Lupe to another zoo where the hippo can have companionship.

In a February 2020 news release, Woodland Park said the zoo's hippo habitat is more than 40 years old and accounts for nearly 20% of its total annual water use. Zoo authorities said they have no intention of bringing any new hippos here.

Those who want to visit Lily only have until April 28, after which the zoo will temporarily close this hippo's living area.

Woodland Park said Lily will continue to enjoy her pool and outdoor habitat until then and can still see people coming to say goodbye.

The zoo asks that people not leave memorial items in Lily and Lupe's habitat or inside the zoo, as such items could fall into the habitat and cause unintended harm.

Lily and Lupe in the swimming pool. (Photo: Woodland Park Zoo).

People can share memories, photos or support on the zoo's social media channels.