Zoo Miami is facing a week tinged with heartache after announcing the deaths of two beloved animal residents, Patagonian mara "Tango" and sloth bear "Keesha," mourned by patrons for their distinctive presences.
Tango the mara was humanely euthanized due to a decline in health brought on by old age, officials said Wednesday, the zoo had housed the robust rodent-like creature for over a decade, during which Tango, with its mixed features of rodent, hare, and deer combined to entertain guests with its social demeanor, hailing from the arid plains of Argentina these creatures are admired for living in pairs and their communal life under the earth.
In a sorrowful follow-up, Thursday saw Keesha, a 28-year-old sloth bear, meet a similar fate as the zoo's decision came on the heels of a worsening medical condition, including severe spine arthritis, as WSVN reported. Keesha's longevity was notable as she was the oldest sloth bear involved in the Association of Zoos & Aquarium’s Species Survival Plan, having been under the zoo's attentive care since her arrival in 2016 from San Diego Zoo.
"Despite efforts to manage her condition, Keesha’s health continued to deteriorate, prompting the difficult decision to euthanize her," the zoo stated, complementing the official news release and reflecting the heartbreaking reality of losing such a storied member of their community, the challenges faced by Keesha, as described by the zoo on Instagram, paint a portrait of determination in the face of her advancing arthritis, where she lived to an age of rarity among her species while contributing to the education of Zoo Miami's visitors.
Amid the sorrow, the zoo shared a glimmer of hope with the birth of two sloth bear cubs, marking a new chapter for the vulnerable species, grappling with threats in their native habitats on the Indian subcontinent due to poaching and habitat destruction, the female cubs have made their public debut under the attentive gaze of their mother "Kematee" and are reported to be in good health and spirits, ushering in another generation to continue the legacy of awareness and conservation efforts championed by their predecessors at Zoo Miami.
