SOUTHWEST MIAMI-DADE COUNTY – Zoo Miami lost a beloved member of its family over the weekend with the passing of Danda-Loo, the oldest koala in North America and Europe.
Danda-Loo was euthanized on Saturday after a decline in her health over the last several months.
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At 20 years old, Danda-Loo had been suffering from severe arthritis, and despite initial success, treatments failed to remedy the ailment.
The decision was made to euthanize after Danda-Loo's appetite had begun to diminish along with her quality of life.
"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," said Zoo Miami's Ron Magill. "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."
The normal lifespan for a female koala is 13-18 years.
Danda-Loo was born in 1995 at Busch Gardens in Tampa and arrived at Zoo Miami in 2007 as part of the Koala Education and Conservation Program. Zoo Miami's koala exhibit will remain empty until other koalas become available through the program.