Hamilton Zoo bids farewell to beloved African wild dog

Praneeta Mahajan
Hamilton, August 1, 2024

On July 25, 2024, Hamilton Zoo mourned the loss of one of its beloved residents, Romeo, an African wild dog known for his spirited personality and playful nature.

Over the past week, Romeo’s health had been deteriorating due to a progressive spinal disease, which had led the zoo’s care and veterinary team to notice a gradual loss of mobility. After careful consideration and numerous welfare assessments, the compassionate decision was made to allow Romeo to pass away peacefully.

Decreased health

Romeo, who was almost 12 years old, was being closely monitored for his arthritis in his spine, with quality of life evaluations twice a week. Despite being given pain medication, its effectiveness had diminished over time. The zoo’s animal care and veterinary staff were in constant contact, ensuring Romeo’s comfort and well-being.

Romeo was born in 2012 at Port Lympne Zoo in the UK and was transferred to Hamilton Zoo along with his brother Kudu in 2018. Romeo quickly became a favourite with his keepers, known for his cheerful nature.

He eagerly participated in the enrichment activities, kept a close eye on his caregivers, and even jumped around with excitement.

Hamilton Zoo has had the privilege of caring for five African wild dogs over the years: Zumo, Romeo, Kudu, Msaka and Itanya. Zumo passed away in 2019 at the ripe old age of 12. Msaka, who had been with the zoo since 2015, passed away in 2022 at the age of 11, the same year as Itanya.

In 2022, Romeo and Itanya were expecting puppies, but tragically, the puppies were stillborn. Itanya died unexpectedly at the age of six, shortly after having the puppies. These losses have been deeply felt by the zoo staff and community.

A unique personality lost

Romeo’s presence brought joy and fascination to countless visitors, and demonstrated the remarkable characteristics and behaviors of African wild dogs. His playful spirit and unique personality left a lasting impression on staff and guests alike.

As Hamilton Zoo bids farewell to Romeo, his contributions to educating and inspiring the public about African wild dogs are remembered and honored.

Since 1990, African wild dogs have been classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, with fewer than 7,000 individuals left in the wild due to habitat loss and poaching. Romeo has played a major role in raising awareness of the plight of his species.

The Hamilton Zoo team posted a message on social media saying: “At Hamilton Zoo it is a privilege and a responsibility to be kaitiaki (guardians) for the animals. The happiness, health and safety of the animals always comes first when making difficult decisions. The Zoo family feels their loss deeply and know that Romeo will be missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.”

A member of the public, Mrs Ouellette, expressed her feelings saying: “What a beautiful creature. A special thanks to Hamilton Zoo for caring for this endangered species with such love. May he roam the wild with his brother again.”

Hundreds of messages of condolence have been received from Hamilton and the wider Waikato community, offering support to the zoo’s management during this difficult time. The outpouring of love and support underscores the deep bond and affection the community felt for Romeo and the other African wild dogs at Hamilton Zoo.

Praneeta Mahajan is a Indian news link reporter based in Hamilton.