Tami, believed to be the oldest hippopotamus in captivity, died today at the age of 59 in her sleep at Jerusalem’s Biblical Zoo, the zoo announces.
She was found dead in the lake of the African-themed area where she lived in the zoo. She was “the oldest hippopotamus living in a zoo,” the zoo says.
“She died at an advanced age, surrounded by lots of love and respect.” She was the last hippo at the zoo after the death of Mati, a male, some 10 years ago.
Tami the Hippo is pictured at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem on July 4, 2013. (Yonatan Sindel/Flash90)
Tami had quickly established herself as dominant among the giraffes, zebras and rhinos in the African area, it says.
“It is a difficult day for us,” zoo employee Gilad Moshe tells the Israel Hayom newspaper. “A little like losing a friend.”
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