“Bertha” the hippopotamus, Manila Zoo’s oldest inhabitant, died last Friday at 65.
Zookeepers said they found Bertha lifeless in her area that morning. They said the hippo may have died of old age as necropsy results did not point to any disease.
People who were in charge of taking care of Bertha also pointed out that the 65-year-old hippo had been moving slower than usual in the past two to three months.
James Albert Dichaves, director of the Manila Parks and Recreations Bureau which has direct control over the zoo, said Bertha is one of the original animals in Manila Zoo.
Bert, a male hippo who lived with Berth inside the zoo, already died years ago. Dichaves said they are proud that Bertha was able to live at least 15 years more than the average hippo lifespan.
Si Bertha ay isa sa mga orihinal na hayop sa Manila Zoo nang ito ay itayo noong 1959 (📸 @zaaaayr Zilah Rama) @DZMMTeleRadyo pic.twitter.com/dDhWcZsmnG
— Zhander Cayabyab (@zhandercayabyab) July 9, 2017
The remains of Bertha were buried in a vacant lot inside the zoo. Dichaves said they will be waiting until the hippos body decomposes so they can get her bones and preserve it for display.
The Manila Zoo, has been criticized by animal rights groups for neglecting animals and holding them in isolation.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals – Asia (PETA) released a statement on Monday on the death of the hippo. “Bertha’s life at the Manila Zoo was one full of boredom, misery and deprivation,” PETA said.
They added: “It’s a tragedy that she only realized freedom through death, and other animals imprisoned in zoos, including Mali the elephant, continue to suffer. They are denied everything that’s natural to them and every aspect of their lives is manipulated and controlled. They are told when they will eat, what they will eat, when they can sleep, and who they can mate with. Their enclosures, like Bertha’s was, are tiny fractions of the size of their natural habitats, and their specific needs are neglected. This cruelty will end only when animals are no longer held as living “exhibits”, which won’t happen until people refuse to patronize zoos.”
But Dichaves said they are planning to acquire younger animals for the zoo and will write a letter to Manila Mayor Joseph Estrada requesting purchase of new animals such as hippopotamuses, zebras and giraffes.
with reports from ABS-CBN News
