An elderly meerkat who stole the hearts of zoo visitors in South Australia for years because of her spectacular coat has died.
‘Snow White’, Adelaide Zoo’s beloved bleached meerkat, turned 14 in September, but on Thursday zookeepers confirmed they had to put the small mammal down.
An Adelaide Zoo spokesperson said the decision was made after a series of age-related complications plagued ‘Snowy’.
“Snowy was humanely euthanized due to a series of age-related health issues that have significantly reduced her quality of life,” a statement from the zoo reads.
“An assessment of the elderly animals was conducted with meerkat keepers and zoo veterinarians and it was determined that it was time to offer Snowy this final act of kindness to prevent his suffering.”
The one-of-a-kind meerkat had far exceeded the typical 10-year life expectancy of a meerkat in human care.
The zoo believes Snowy is the only white meerkat ever recorded and shared how she came to acquire her famous white coat.
Beloved meerkat ‘Snow White’ was euthanized on Thursday because she began suffering from complications associated with old age.
The reason for Snowy’s abnormal color remains a mystery, but the zoo said she was not born that way
“Snow White, who was born looking the same as her relatives during her youth, lost her pigmentation later in life to become the Snowy we all know and love,” Adelaide Zoo said.
‘Loved by Adelaide Zoo staff, volunteers, members and visitors, and most of all by her keepers, Snowy has been an icon of our zoo and has captured hearts and imaginations throughout her life.
“She reminded us all of the beauty of being different and celebrating what makes us unique.”
The initial change in its color originally baffled zoo veterinarians and meant the little meerkat needed protection from the sun.
Otherwise, the meerkat was unscathed by the color change.
There are several reasons why an animal may lose its pigmentation, although it is unclear what condition Snowy suffered from.
One person had previously asked online if Snowy had vitiligo, a disease that can cause loss of color in humans and animals. But in Snowy’s case, the loss of color remains a mystery.
‘Our veterinary team checked her thoroughly and found no obvious diagnosis! “She is otherwise perfectly healthy and active, and we will be continually monitoring her condition,” a zoo spokesperson said at the time.
Zoo visitors left comments on social media remembering the first times they saw Snowy.
‘Snowy’ attracted visitors to Adelaide Zoo for many years for its unique, bleached fur
“I visited Adelaide Zoo many times and I always looked out for Snowy because she was one of my favourites… I knew she had to be old so I shouldn’t be surprised but it still makes me deeply sad,” one woman said.
Many thought of the caregivers who had lost her.
‘She was beautiful. My deepest condolences to his caregivers,” said one woman.
‘She was a unique little person and it was always a great pleasure to see her. Unfortunately we will miss him. Thinking about the goalkeepers,” added another.