It is with great sadness that the Utica Zoo announces the passing of North American Beavers Frances and Jolene.
The Utica Zoo Animal Care and Veterinary teams have been monitoring male beaver, Frances over the past few months while he exhibited a decline in health due to respiratory issues that were no longer responding to treatment. Regrettably, the difficult decision was made last week to humanely euthanize him. Frances was 5 1/2 years old.
Jolene, the female beaver who recently joined the Zoo, died suddenly last week. The previous day, staff observed her swimming and did not notice any behaviors that would indicate any medical issues. However, the next day, keepers discovered that she had died over night. The initial pathology report found that her stomach had ruptured. Beavers are unable to vomit, regurgitate or belch, which can lead to abdominal pain and gastric dilation.
Both Frances and Jolene served as ambassadors for their species, illustrating the biology, behavior, and social nature of beavers to staff and visitors. Both beavers could often be seen swimming around their pool or working on their shelter.
The Utica Zoo is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. It is a regional destination that inspires and promotes the appreciation of wildlife through education, conservation, and recreation. Situated in the heart of Central New York, the zoo features a diverse collection of animals from around the world and offers various educational programs and events for visitors of all ages. It is home to approximately 200 exotic and domestic animals, welcoming nearly 100,000 visitors annually and is open daily from 10 am to 4:30 pm. For more information on this, and all things Utica Zoo, visit UticaZoo.org or follow them on Facebook and Instagram.