Share
A 45-year-old male river hippopotamus named Otis and nicknamed the “smiling hippo” has died at the San Diego Zoo.
Otis had been under care for degenerative joint and spinal disease and a decision to euthanize him was made last weekend when his condition declined dramatically, the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said in tweet Monday.
Otis Born in the Wild
Otis got his nickname in 2010 because of viral photo taken by a zoo visitor that captured him with his teeth displayed in what looked like a giant grin, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported.
The 4,500-pound hippo was born in the wild in East Africa and went to the Los Angeles Zoo before being transferred to San Diego in 2009 to mate with a female named Funani, the newspaper said.
“Otis will be greatly missed by wildlife care staff, veterinarians, volunteers, and guests,” the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance said.
RELATED TOPICS:
CA Restaurants Shouldn’t Be Shocked That ‘Junk Fees’ Ban Applies to Them
3 hours ago
Did California’s Massive COVID Homeless Shelter Program Work? A New Evaluation Probes the Results
3 hours ago
Spurs’ Victor Wembanyama Is Rookie of the Year After a Record-Setting Season
3 hours ago
Murray Tosses Heat Pack, Coach Screams at Officials as Frustrated Nuggets Lose Again
3 hours ago
India Votes in Third Phase of National Elections; Modi Escalates His Rhetoric Against Muslims
3 hours ago
New York Governor Regrets Saying Black Kids in The Bronx Don’t Know What a Computer Is
4 hours ago
Boy Scouts of America Changing Name to More Inclusive Scouting America After Years of Woes
4 hours ago
Israeli Forces Seize Rafah Crossing in Gaza, Threatening Aid and Putting Cease-Fire Talks on Edge
4 hours ago
Testifying in Hush Money Trial, Porn Actor Stormy Daniels Describes First Meeting Trump
5 hours ago
Watch: Israel’s Oversized Influence in American Elections