Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden is mourning the loss of one its animals.
Mesker announced the death of Huey, the zoo’s Baird's Tapir.
On its Facebook page, Mesker said Huey was humanely euthanized after struggling with being underweight and appetite issues.
Officials said the latest quality-of-life check conducted by veterinary and animal staff concluded the 26-year-old tapir was suffering from age-induced heart and liver issues.
Mesker says Huey was born in 1994 at the Miami zoo. He came to his “forever home” at Mesker when the zoo and botanic garden opened the Amazonia exhibit in 2008.
On Facebook, zoo staff said the circle of life “never gets any easier.”
