L.A. Zoo's only hippo euthanized after weeks-long illness

The sole hippopotamus at the Los Angeles Zoo was euthanized Friday after being ill with an unknown ailment for a month and not responding to treatment, zoo officials said.

Zookeepers noticed in December that the 28-year-old hippopotamus, Jabba, had a decreased appetite, abnormal bloating and was not responding to medication, zoo spokesman Jason Jacobs told City News Service. The hippo was under close veterinary care, but his condition rapidly worsened in the last few days.

The zoo's staff made the "difficult decision" to euthanize Jabba, according to a statement released by the zoo.

Jabba had been at the zoo since 2009. Before that, he lived at the San Diego Zoo for several years, where he sired several calves.

His body will be taken to the California Animal Health & Food Safety Laboratory System at UC Davis for a necropsy.

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-- Raja Abdulrahim

Photo: Jabba, seen in 1995

Credit: Los Angeles Times