Mona, long-lived camel at Lee Richardson Zoo, dies
GARDEN CITY, Kan. (KSNW) — Mona, a 29-year-old Bactrian camel known for her intelligence and gentle presence, has died after a lifetime spent at Garden City's Lee Richardson Zoo.
Zoo officials euthanized Mona on April 14 due to worsening age-related health issues. Despite years of veterinary care, her condition had declined, and treatments were no longer effective, the zoo said in a news release.
Bactrian camels have a life expectancy of about 18 years, but Mona far exceeded that after arriving at the zoo in December 1996.
Pet Project: Paul Blart: Mall Cop wants to secure a home
During her nearly 30 years at the zoo, she raised 10 calves, including her youngest, a nine-year-old male named KJ. Mona became a grandmother 19 times, a great-grandmother eight times, and a great-great-grandmother twice.
'Mona was a determined and intelligent old lady. That's what Zoo staff and I loved about her; she knew what she wanted and how to get it,' Victoria Ortiz, Lead Keeper at the zoo, said in a statement. 'Some of her favorite things to do were laying in the shade of the barn peacefully, sticking her head out to watch her surroundings, and eating alfalfa. She will be missed by many.'
Mona and KJ served as ambassadors for critically endangered Bactrian camels from Mongolia's Gobi Desert. Domesticated over 2,000 years ago, the camels are valued for their wool, milk, meat, and ability to carry heavy loads.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Lower Paxton celebrates 40th anniversary of senior van service
(WHTM) — Lower Paxton Township is celebrating 40 years of helping seniors. This week is the 40th anniversary of its van service, which provides free transportation to registered riders to any location within the township and to medical appointments on the east or west shores. Download the abc27 News+ app on your Roku, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and Apple TV devices Seniors and elected officials came out to George Park on Saturday to celebrate with a free picnic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
Fulton celebrates Medal of Honor hero for D-Day bravery
FULTON, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) — June 6 has a new meaning to community members in the City of Fulton. The city has recognized a Medal of Honor recipient for acts of heroism on D-Day. Fulton said as part of 'Carlton W. Barrett Day,' they honor a local hero and teach students about the sacrifices made during World War II. The day is dedicated to Carlton W. Barrett, a veteran who they said displayed extraordinary bravery during the D-Day invasion. Barrett, a native of Fulton, served in the U.S. Army and was awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor on June 6, 1944. Courtesy of Bill Cahill. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Yahoo
4 Gulf World dolphins adjust to Clearwater Marine Aquarium, 7 still await relocation
PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (WMBB) – On Wednesday, June 4, News 13 broke the story about the four Gulf World Marine Park dolphins being relocated to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium. Crews arrived at Gulf World around 11 p.m. Tuesday, loaded up the animals and headed south. They arrived in Clearwater around 11 a.m. E.T. Wednesday morning. All the rough-toothed female dolphins appeared to immediately take to their new surroundings. The staff in Clearwater set benchmarks for the dolphins to gauge how they are adjusting. On Friday, June 6, they told local officials all four of the animals blew away those benchmarks and are 'thriving' in their new home. 4 Gulf World dolphins moved to Clearwater Marine Aquarium As for the seven remaining bottle-nosed dolphins still at Gulf World, local officials told News 13 they are still waiting on the results of some tissue and fluid tests done within the last week. The results will determine if the dolphins are healthy and able to be placed with other dolphins. Once they're medically clear, they'll be transferred to another facility that has yet to be confirmed. Some in the decision-making process don't want them to go to another 'Dolphin Company-owned' facility. They point to the fact that the company is currently in bankruptcy proceedings and the poor conditions at Gulf World. Five dolphins have died at Gulf World since October 2024. The public outcry is responsible for the relocation of all of the marine animals. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
