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The Calgary zoo has bid adieu to long-time resident Norman, announcing the recent passing of the popular 17-year-old peacock.
“Saying goodbye is never easy, especially when it’s to those who have grown old with us,” the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo wrote on its website Thursday. “Norman was loved by many and will be dearly missed.”
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Norman was considered geriatric for his species, according to the zoo’s post, and had been receiving treatment for advanced degeneration in his spine and legs. Staff from the zoo’s animal care, health and welfare team decided to compassionately euthanize the popular peafowl after he stopped responding positively to these treatments.
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Hatched at the Calgary zoo in 2006, Norman went on to spend his whole life roaming the grounds during the spring and summer months, charming visitors with his colourful tail feathers. Given free range to explore as he chose, Norman was known to frequent the green spaces around the Chilean flamingo habitat and the gorilla amphitheatre, the zoo stated.
Penguin walk comes to early end
In other zoo-related news, the popular penguin walk has come to an early end this year due to weather-related factors.
The zoo announced Wednesday that variable weather throughout January and February caused a series of cancellations for the daily outdoor stroll, which would see the penguins waddle together (supervised by staff) in a group along a cordoned path.
“While it typically ends in mid-March, the actual end date can fluctuate slightly from year to year due to weather conditions and bird participation,” the zoo said on its website.
The walk is also dependent on the birds’ participation, and this year, the kings have preferred to stay in the familiar surroundings of their habitat, possibly due to nearby construction.
The indoor penguin plunge, meanwhile, will remain closed until May 16 while zoo staff upgrade the building’s mechanical system.
In the meantime, visitors will still be able to see the penguins when they are in their outdoor habitat, weather permitting.
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