Buttonwood Park Zoo bids a sad farewell to one of its oldest residents. Get tissues.
NEW BEDFORD — On Thursday, Buttonwood Park Zoo announced the death of one if its "most beloved and iconic animals," a female Atlantic harbor seal named Yellow.
According to a press release, Yellow had come to Buttonwood in 1983 after being rescued from a Cape Cod beach.
"Yellow, as one of BPZOO’s oldest residents, and the oldest female Atlantic harbor seal in an institution accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) was under careful monitoring and care for many age-related illnesses," the press release read. "Recently, animal care staff noticed a reduction in her appetite, and increasing troublesome neurological signs, such as lethargy, decreased mobility, and, finally, seizures.
"After a variety of diagnostic tests, including bloodwork, a whole-body CT scan and infectious disease testing it became clear that her condition was continuing to deteriorate."
Zoo officials went on to note that due to the circumstances, veterinary teams decided it was best to euthanize Yellow, who died "surrounded by her animal care team."
“It was an incredibly difficult decision; one that we did not come to lightly,” said Buttonwood Park Zoo Director Gary Lunsford. “Yellow was a wonderful ambassador for her species and beloved by so many. We know her loss will be profoundly felt by her extensive animal care team as well as the many volunteers and guests who had the pleasure of interacting with her over the last 40 years.”
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A bright personality
Zoo officials said Yellow — who'd been under the care of zoo staffers and twin sisters Kristy Kaeterle and Kerry Silvia for over 20 years — was known for "being very sweet, and a little sassy."
“There are so many things that we loved about her and will miss forever — like her impatient little snorts when we were taking too long with the fish that she loved so much," the release reads. "She also had impeccable timing, always knocking the pool brush out of our hands at just the right moment bringing a laugh from us, every time."
A colorful legacy
In 2003, Yellow gave birth to her only living offspring, Blue. According to zoo officials, together, the two would build strong bonds with their caretakers that contributed to Yellow's long life.
"These strong connections allowed for hands-on vet exams and close monitoring of their health, contributing to her longevity," the release reads. "Yellow knew more than 25 trained behaviors, including stationing on a scale, allowing keepers to brush her teeth, place drops in her eyes and even presenting herself for x-rays, vaccines, and blood draws."
But Blue wasn't the only legacy Yellow left behind: there's also her artwork, zoo officials said.
“If you have a seal flipper print in the shape of a flower — cherish it. It was her specialty," reads a quote attributed to Kaeterle and Silvia, referencing Yellow's yearly contributions to the zoo's annual Art Gone Wild Auction and Zoolala events.
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"She taught us many things over the years, but one of the most important lessons we learned was the importance of trust in a friendship."
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: BPZOO announces death of Atlantic harbor seal Yellow
