Mill Mountain Zoo has announced the passing of Bo, a North American Wolverine on Tuesday, July 22, afternoon. Diagnosed with an advanced and progressive heart condition in 2013, the medications he was prescribed gave him the opportunity to live another two full years of life – much longer than the initial prognosis he was given. Due to his advanced age and his heart no longer able to respond to medication, the difficult, but compassionate decision was to euthanize.
Guests and keepers alike enjoyed visiting Bo as he was a vibrant presence at Mill Mountain Zoo. Whether splashing around in his pond, exploring his exhibit, or taking a leisurely nap, he was always a fun and interactive animal for guests and staff to visit with. A former education animal at Jack Hanna’s Columbus Zoo, Bo was placed at Mill Mountain Zoo in 2002 when he was three years old.
Bo was an incredible wildlife ambassador for his species – helping educate the public about wolverines in the wild and the importance of conservation. Bo was over 16 years old, living well-beyond the life expectancy of a wolverine in the wild. “He was definitely a people-wolverine.” said Kate Trainque, one of Bo’s regular keepers, “He was very social and loved interactions with people.”
The Zoo’s Primary Carnivore Keeper, Christyne Fitzgerald noted that “field researchers have recently discovered that wolverines are not the ferocious, solitary creatures we once thought. The relationships Bo formed with me, his other keepers and guests were examples of these new findings.”
Bo’s long, healthy and enriched life is attributed to the excellent care his keepers and veterinarian were able to provide him. As of 2013, the last time national records were updated, Bo was one of only 16 North American Wolverines in captivity and from that group he was the third oldest at the time of his passing. He will be deeply missed at Mill Mountain Zoo.
Mill Mountain Zoo is open seven days a week from 10:00am – 4:30pm. The grounds close at 5:00pm.
