BALTIMORE — The Maryland Zoo has announced that Boss, the Zoo’s oldest African penguin, was humanely euthanized today.
Zoo employee's say Boss was 34 years old and had been slowing down.
“Boss became lethargic a few weeks ago, and was being closely monitored by the Penguin Coast care team and Zoo veterinary staff. At such an old age, his health was in gradual decline,” said Jen Kottyan, avian collection and conservation manager.
Boss produced 30 offspring, and was a grandfather and great-grandfather to many more penguins, including Zoo Animal Ambassador Sally and a recently hatched chick.
Boss hatched on October 12, 1985, in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. He came to The Maryland Zoo in 1990 and lived in the Rock Island habitat until 2014 when the Zoo opened Penguin Coast.
