It is definitely a sad day for Tri-Staters as well as employee's of Evansville's Mesker Park Zoo. Today the decision was made to euthanize Donna The Hippo, the oldest hippo in captivity.

Donna has been a part of Mesker Park Zoo since 1956...and over the past 56 years she has brought smiles to countless faces. Folks that saw Donna when they were just a kid could take their own children and grandchildren to see her now. As a matter of fact, my own children recently had the chance to see Donna up close and personal, thanks to a family friend that works at the zoo. Getting to hang with Donna and the rhino was one of the highlights of their summer.

The fact remains, though, that Donna was very old. And according to zoo officials her health had deteriorated tremendously over the last few weeks. And while everyone may not agree with that assessment, the decision was made to humanely euthanize Donna.

It really is a sad day for the zoo, for the city, and for anyone got joy from such a special creature. Donna the Hippo will be missed.

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