Goodbye Mongo: Oldest African Penguin At Pueblo Zoo Dies
PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) - Colorado zookeepers announced the death of Mongo, a penguin believed to be the oldest African penguin in captivity in North America.
The Pueblo Chieftain reported Thursday that 38-year-old Mongo died overnight Wednesday while in captivity at the Pueblo Zoo.
Scientists say the endangered African penguin lives an average of 20 years.
Zoo staff say Mongo faced various health challenges including hormone issues.
Zookeepers say Mongo lived at the city's zoo since it opened its penguin exhibit in 1992.
He was transferred from the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore where he fathered nine chicks.
Staff say Mongo is survived by more than 100 descendants worldwide.
Zookeepers say his first partner Tess was the oldest African penguin in captivity in North America before her death in 2015. She was 40 years old.
(© Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)