In just a few weeks, “Dia de los Muertos”, a holiday celebrated on November 1st and 2nd will take place.  The holiday is widely observed in Mexico and its traditions have spread across the globe.  Translated to English, Day of the Dead is a time where people come together as a community to celebrate and remember the lives of loved ones who have passed on.  At the Lee Richardson Zoo, when an animal meets the end of their life, the loss is felt throughout the zoo and community and is acknowledged differently depending on the individual. Just as with the lives lost of our family and friends, there is no “right” way to mourn.   

                I’ve worked at the Zoo for nearly 10 years and for me, the loss of a beloved zoo resident is by far the hardest part of my job.  Physical care is not part of my role as the Communication Specialist at the Zoo, but I am lucky enough to have a front row seat to the type of work that goes into caring for animals at a facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).  I can easily say that I work with some of the most passionate and hard-working individuals there are.  When an animal reaches the end of their life, not only do I mourn the animal for my own loss, but my heart hurts for the people who have worked with these animals day in and day out, providing the world’s best care, no matter the species, no matter the weather, and no matter what challenges may arise. 

                As a testament to the quality of care they receive, several animal residents at our Zoo have far outlived the typical life expectancy for their species.  We have cared for individuals who have set records for their age, such as reticulated giraffe “Shingo” who passed in 2015 at the age of 29.  According to records, he was the oldest reticulated giraffe ever known in North America.  Shingo was one of the first animal deaths I experienced as a Zoo Staff member.  Shingo arrived at the Zoo in 1986, I was born in 1989. This means as a lifelong Garden City resident, I first visited Shingo when I was in my mom’s “belly” and had spent my entire life visiting him.  When I heard the news of his passing, I wept.  I felt as if I’d lost a childhood friend and somehow, a coworker who I’d become good friends with.  Knowing he had lived such a long and full life made the transition easier, but I still miss Shingo today.

Whether human or animal, death is a part of life, and it faces all living things no matter what type.  Sometimes it comes with age and the knowledge of the cause. Other times, it is sudden, unexpected, and unfair.  Sometimes we are given signals that the end is approaching, such as changes in behavior, loss of mobility, or lack of interest in food or normal activities, something just feels “wrong”.  Other times, everything is “fine” one second, and the next they’re gone.    

  Recent losses experienced by the zoo came suddenly within the past few weeks and we have had said goodbye to “Penelope” a female addax and “Sniffy” a giant anteater.  On October 8th, Staff witnessed Penelope unresponsive and having difficulty breathing in her habitat.  Veterinary Staff swiftly came to examine Penelope and began performing CPR and providing the necessary emergency medicines to try and revive Penelope.  Unfortunately, despite the immediate attention given, Penelope passed.  On the morning of October 19th, staff once again were alerted to an animal in need of help.  Anteater Sniffy was ill and not behaving himself. Emergency medicines were administered, and hopes were high for a recovery, especially after Sniffy began to respond to staff.  Unfortunately despite best efforts, it was Sniffy’s time. I know these animals had been given the best of care their entire lives, and I know that everything possible was done in an attempt save them.  My deepest sympathies go to my coworkers who have cared for Penelope and Sniffy and who were with them in their last moments. 
             Penelope was born at the Rolling Hills Zoo in Salina on the exact day, January 5th, 2015, that I began employment with the Lee Richardson Zoo.  I met Penelope in April of 2017 after she arrived at our Zoo with a breeding recommendation from the AZA’s Species Survival Plan for the critically endangered Addax.  I watched her grow and mature, and I remember the excitement in 2019 when she gave birth to her first calf, and again we all admired this mother with the successful births of her calves in 2023 (during a severe storm) and in 2024 (right in front of zoo guests).  I have visited Penelope every time I’ve come to the Zoo “off the clock” as well as countless opportunities as a staff member over the past seven years. Recently I stopped by the addax habitat with camera in hand to snag a few photos of her grazing peacefully.  I could not have known it would be my last visit with Penelope, but I will cherish those photos forever.  

Sniffy recently celebrated his 18th birthday, definitely something to celebrate considering the median life expectancy for male anteaters is 14.8 years.  He was born at the Dallas Zoo in 2006 and joined us in 2008.  Sniffy was beloved by many for his unique characteristics and behaviors.  He was truly my mother’s most favorite zoo animal.  Zoo Staff generously gave my mother and grandmother a behind the scenes meet and greet with Sniffy where they were able to feed Sniffy one of his favorite foods.  The memory of my family members smiling and giggling as his long tongue rapidly licked up the food is one that I will never forget.  “I just love him so much” was something my mom would say every zoo visit or anytime I’d talk about him or share a photo. She had a true connection with a zoo animal, just like I know many of our guests do.

The connections we build with these amazing animals are my “why”.  Why I come to work every day, why I love my job, why I keep going even after tremendous heart break.  The connections made between zoo guests and animals is part of our Mission at the Lee Richardson Zoo.  We strive to inspire appreciation of the natural world and share why these animals are so important and worthy of conservation.  For Dia de los Muertos this year, Zoo Staff will celebrate these connections in a video tribute to the animals we’ve said goodbye to.  Look for this video to be posted on November 1st on our Facebook page and YouTube channel (@LeeRichardsonZoo) and please share your own connections with any zoo resident or beloved animal in the comment section when available.  We appreciate your ongoing support and understanding as we share in the losses and gifts we experience at the Zoo.