Mayor David Kaptain | City of Elgin Official Website
Mayor David Kaptain | City of Elgin Official Website
Elgin, IL - On Sunday, December 10, staff discovered that one of the Lords Park Zoo's bison, Becky age 24, was unable to get up by herself or with assistance. Following a veterinary exam, it was determined to humanely euthanize Becky. Becky was surrounded by her caretakers, a team committed to providing the best possible care to the animals at the zoo.
The normal life expectancy for bison in captivity is 25 to 30 years. Drew, the park's other 24-year-old bison, died from natural causes in September. Similar to Drew, Becky will be brought to the University of Illinois to determine any other issues that may have impacted Becky's health.
Becky arrived at the Lords Park Zoo in February 2013 with one of the zoo's other bison, Drew. Laura, another bison, joined Drew and Becky, in November 2016. Bison have been a familiar animal at the zoo since 1909. Staff discussion is underway on bringing new bison to the park; however, plans have yet to be formalized.
Original source can be found here.
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