Toronto Zoo loses spotted hyena and moose, closing out year of several animal deaths

The Toronto Zoo ended 2024 by bidding farewell to two geriatric, long-term residents over the past week — the last in a series of animal deaths at the zoo last year. 

Moja, a 25-year-old spotted hyena, became lethargic and weak on Christmas Day, the zoo said in a social media post on Saturday. 

After his health rapidly declined, "it was determined that euthanasia was warranted given poor prognosis for recovery," the zoo said. 

Moja was on the upper end of spotted hyena life expectancy, as the zoo said the species tends to live between 12 to 25 years. 

Meanwhile, Lily, an eleven-year-old moose, had been under observation since Dec. 23, after staff noticed her behaviour had changed and her abdomen was distended. 

"She was reluctant to move, had an abnormal gait and general malaise," the zoo said. 

Lily was euthanized after staff did an examination, blood work and ultrasound. After her death, there are no more moose at the Toronto Zoo. 

The zoo said it was thankful for Lily and Moja's contribution and impact as "ambassadors for their species in the wild." 

The Toronto Zoo announced five other animal deaths in 2024, its 50th anniversary year. 

A two-year-old Masai giraffe died in July due to complications from anesthesia during surgery. 

In August, a 10-year-old female red panda died after experiencing health issues – only three weeks after one of her cubs died. Red pandas have a high mortality rate in their first year, the zoo said at the time. 

The same month, an 11-year-old moose was euthanized after its health deteriorated. It was one of two in the zoo's Canadian Domain, along with Lily, and had gone beyond the life expectancy of moose in human care, the zoo said. 

And in October, the zoo lost Charles, its 52-year-old western lowland silverback gorilla, who had been at the zoo since its opening day in 1974. 

On Friday, the zoo said the end of its 50th anniversary year is a reminder of the team's "ongoing commitment" to animals in their care, particularly geriatric ones.