The San Diego Zoo is in mourning following the recent deaths of three beloved animals, a polar bear, a giraffe, and a gorilla, which transpired within just a few days of each other in mid-August.
The zoo’s staff suffered a significant blow on August 14, when Maka, a 30-year-old Western lowland gorilla, passed away due to a cardiac event, as confirmed by zoo officials.
This tragic event followed the euthanization of Kalluk, a 24-year-old male polar bear, and Nicky, a 28-year-old Masai giraffe, on the same day, August 10.
Zoo staff sought to minimize suffering for these animals who were nearing the end of their lives, which made the losses even more poignant for those who cared for them.
Nicki Boyd, curator of mammals, ambassadors, and applied behavior at the zoo, reflected on the challenges of that week: “We were like: ‘We just can’t catch a break right now.’”
Kalluk had been a cherished resident of the San Diego Zoo since he arrived as a cub back in 2001, along with his sister Tatqiq after being orphaned.
His inquisitive nature, gentleness, and intelligence endeared him to staff and visitors alike.
The polar bear had been living with kidney failure, a diagnosis that came as a surprise to the team and struck them hard.
Boyd described the call about Kalluk’s condition as a “gut punch,” highlighting the emotional toll it took on staff who had spent years caring for him.
Zoo officials shared that Kalluk had surpassed the average lifespan of male polar bears, which typically averages around 18 years in the wild.
Nicky’s death came as the zoo faced the loss of Kalluk on that same day.
Regarded as a matriarch of her herd and believed to be the oldest giraffe in North America, Nicky played a vital role in nurturing other first-time giraffe mothers by demonstrating how to care for their calves.
Boyd noted Nicky’s gentle nature and affection towards her grandson born just recently, underscoring her impact on both her family and zoo visitors.
The wildlife care team dedicated quality time to Nicky in her final days, treating her with her favorite tree leaves and allowing former staff members to visit and say farewell.
Boyd expressed, “That’s what makes us feel better that her last day is not her worst day.”
The situation worsened for the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance staff as they faced Maka’s unexpected death earlier this week.
Maka was born at the zoo and had taken on the role of leader within the bachelor troop of gorillas, where he guided his younger brothers, Ekuba and Denny.
Zoo officials revealed that Maka was diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities at the age of 5, requiring ongoing treatment throughout his life.
Recently, his health had declined further with the onset of brief seizures that led the team to monitor him closely.
Tragically, during a recent examination, Maka suffered a cardiac event despite the intensive care he received, prompting a heartfelt response from zoo officials who referred to him as their “gentle giant.”
Boyd, who has dedicated over 30 years to the zoo, noted that this was the first time in her experience that three animals were lost in such a brief span.
The zoo houses a diverse collection of over 12,000 animals, each with unique lifespans and histories, but the connection formed between staff and the animals makes their passing particularly difficult.
While Boyd acknowledged that death is a part of life, the emotional challenge of losing beloved animals is always profound.
Offering some comfort in the mourning process, Boyd mentioned that the zoo has created stickers of Nicky and Kalluk, with plans to produce stickers of Maka as well, aiming to distribute them to staff as a tribute.
Zoo officials have used social media platforms, including Instagram, to inform the public about their losses, leading to an outpouring of empathy and support from followers and other zoos across the country.
Responses of love, care, and solidarity have been instrumental in helping staff cope with their loss.
One user expressed condolences on Instagram, saying, “I’m so sorry! You guys have had to deal with so much loss these past two weeks.”
Another comment from the Toronto Zoo account offered thoughts of strength, stating, “Send your teams our thoughts during this time! Be proud of the powerful conservation work you continue doing each and every day.”
image source from:latimes