MIAMI – North America and Europe's oldest koala died Saturday at Zoo Miami.
Zoo Miami spokesman Ron Magill said the 19-year-old female koala, Danda-Loo, was euthanized Saturday due to "a consistent decline in her health for the past several months."
Magill said Danda-Loo underwent several treatments, including laser therapy for severe arthritis. He said the treatments appeared to initially have a positive effect on the koala, but she continued to experience significant weight loss and her normal daily activities had become "extremely difficult, if not impossible."
"The loss of Danda-Loo is bittersweet in that we will miss her, and her passing will leave a void that will result in profound sadness, but we are also quite proud to know that we provided the love and care that enabled this beautiful animal to become one of the oldest koalas in the world, where for many years, she inspired countless visitors to care about the wonders of wildlife," Magill said.
Danda-Loo was born on Oct. 16, 1995 at Busch Gardens in Tampa and arrived at Zoo Miami in April 2007.
She exceeded the normal lifespan for a female koala, which is between 13 and 18 years.
Zoo Miami's koala exhibit will remain empty until more koalas become available through the Koala Education and Conservation Program.
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