Here are some of the life spans from animals kept by the zoo, and the average lifespan of their wild counterparts. Use these fun facts to critically examine whether GVZoo keeps animals alive the same or longer, or if animals die prematurely!
IN THE WILD AT THE GVZOO
Hippos: 40 Years Gretrude: 22 years old
Harvey: 21 years old
Average: 21.5 years
Siberian Tigers: Hani: 2 years old
10-14 years (wild) Sweetie: 18 years old
20-35 years (captivity) Average: 10 years
*Interesting fact: the zoo uses the wild life span of Siberian tigers as a barometer for their own success, calling this number an average CAPTIVE life span. Though captivity is not ethical, predatory cats in captivity can often outlive their wild counterparts by a fair margin. With presumably no parasites, predators, and a steady diet with veterinary care, why can’t GVZoo meet or exceed average lifespans?
Rothschild Giraffe: 20- 25 years Un-named Baby: .05 years
Jafari: 12 years old
Eleah: 23 years old
Amryn: 3 years old
Average: 8.75 Years
Zebras: Zebra 1: 5 years old
10-15 years (wild) Zebra 2: 6 years old
30-40 (captivity- Zebra 3: 9 years old
due to lack of predators) Zebra 4: 14 years old
Average: 8.5 years
These four Zebra died simultaneously after the Zoo introduced territorial adversaries, (Cape Buffalo) triggering a predator-aversion response called Exertion Myopathy. In laymen’s terms: death from fear or panic.