The Toronto Zoo said it made the difficult decision to euthanize their “big and beautiful” geriatric 39-year-old river hippo named Petal because of health issues that would be “incredibly difficult” to manage with “no guarantee of recovery.”

The zoo made the announcement on social media over the weekend.

“For nearly four decades, Petal brought joy, wonder, and inspiration to millions of Toronto Zoo guests,” the zoo said. “With her larger-than-life personality and close bond with her sister Perky, she became an unforgettable presence in the Zoo’s Africa Savanna.”

The Toronto Zoo said Petal had undergone a dental procedure to remove a tusk in May, and had been doing well. However, the wildlife team — alongside an external veterinary dentist — determined there were multiple significant i

See Full Page