TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taipei Zoo (臺北市立動物園) announced the peaceful passing of its last American bison, Jiaowa (角娃), on Wednesday (Sept. 4). The zoo had recently lost a white rhinoceros and a Bengal tiger due to age-related ailments, highlighting the challenges faced by an aging animal population.
Jiaowa, aged 24 years and 10 months, had been suffering from cataracts, glaucoma, and digestive issues for over six years. The zoo's head zookeeper and veterinarians had observed continuous weight loss and joint problems in the bison.
Taipei Zoo Director Chen I-tsung (諶亦聰) noted that Jiaowa was born in the zoo in October 1999 and has lived there its entire life, becoming one of the zoo's oldest residents.
The 44-year-old female white rhinoceros, Ximin (犀敏), one of the oldest in the zoo, began experiencing feeding difficulties and weight loss in January. Ximin passed away due to respiratory failure on Sept. 2. Additionally, the zoo's last Bengal tiger, Xinchun (新春), succumbed to chronic kidney disease and other ailments the same day.
The Taipei Zoo, which relocated to the Muzha District nearly 40 years ago, is seeing many of its animals enter middle and old age. The loss of three animals in one month has deeply saddened the caretaking team.