EVANSVILLE — Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden officials announced Thursday the euthanasia of their female Bactrian camel due to multifactorial gastrointestinal disease.
Friday was being treated for the disease for over a year, and had received a life-saving plasma transfusion in September 2024.
“Since that procedure, her health and clinical status has been closely followed. Due to such diligent monitoring, Friday’s animal care staff was able to notice when she acutely presented with worsening clinical signs,” the zoo shared via social media. “The veterinary staff and animal care staff were able to quickly intervene, providing continuous observations, administering medications, and preforming diagnostic testing.”
Friday was hospitalized for multiple days without getting better before euthanasia was decided on due to her prognosis.
“Decisions like this are never made lightly,” officials stated. “After exhausting all options and careful evaluation, euthanasia was determined to be the most compassionate choice for Friday’s wellbeing.”
Friday’s death comes about two years after the zoo’s male Bactrian camel was euthanized due to age-related arthritis.
This leaves one camel left, named Wednesday.
“Camels are highly social animals who thrive in the company of others. We are working diligently to find Wednesday companionship,” the post stated. “If an animal cannot be located to join her quickly, a new home where she can live alongside other camels will be identified as soon as possible.”
Zoo officials said the space will remain quiet and focused on Wednesday’s comfort and welbeing.
“Our team is also in conversations about the future use of this exhibit space, with Wednesday’s needs as the immediate priority,” the post read. “We’ll keep our community updated as decisions are made with animal welfare as our guiding focus.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden announce death of female camel
Reporting by Sarah Loesch, Evansville Courier & Press / Evansville Courier & Press
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