Moose at the Wildnispark Zurich
15-Year-Old Female Moose Euthanized Due to Old Age
On September 16, the 15-year-old female moose at Langenberg Wildlife Park was euthanized. Her health had been steadily declining in recent years. After careful consideration, the wildlife park therefore decided to euthanize the animal. The female moose was subsequently fed to the park’s predators.
The older of the two female moose living at the Wildnispark Zurich had reached the age of 15, which is quite advanced by zoo standards. She arrived at the Zurich Wildlife Park in 2011 from a moose breeding program in Sweden and had become very dear to the zoo’s staff and visitors. She gave birth to several calves and was the mother of the current breeding bull.
For a good four years, her health had been fragile, and she was therefore under close observation. Over the past two years, the moose required medical care on several occasions. In addition, she was visibly losing weight and muscle mass. The decision to euthanize the animal was not an easy one. It was made in the interest of responsible population management. Currently, three moose remain at Langenberg Zoo: the current breeding pair and the calf born in 2025 - a bull. A home is currently being sought for him at another zoo.
Euthanizing Animals Can Ensure the Survival of a Species
One of the most important and challenging tasks in a scientifically managed zoo is the careful population management of all species in its care. This includes, on the one hand, the regular exchange of breeding animals between zoos to prevent inbreeding and preserve the species’ gene pool. On the other hand, older animals must sometimes make way for younger, breeding-age animals. This is the only way to ensure the long-term survival of a species in human care. This is particularly important for endangered and potentially endangered species, but applies to all animal species in captivity.
The photo of the female moose was taken in late 2019.
©Wildnispark Zurich/Fredy Tschui
