The Milwaukee County Zoo announced today that 55-year-old Patti the Hippo, who had been living at the zoo for more than a half-century, died on Sunday, Nov. 10.
Patti was the oldest hippo in the care of an AZA-accredited zoo in the country.
"Saturday, Nov. 9, began routinely for Patti, spending time in the indoor Hippo habitat and pool," the statement said. "However, at the end of the day, when it was time for Patti to 'shift' or switch out of her pool, she was reluctant to move. Once she ultimately came out of the pool, she appeared lethargic and was not interested in eating her dinner.
"The team, including MCZ’s senior staff veterinarian, continued to monitor her closely and later that night, they observed Patti quickly declining further. After assessing Patti, the decision was made to humanely euthanize her. Patti died surrounded by her animal care team, including the zookeepers who best knew and loved her, comforting her to the very end, including rubbing her ears and feet."
Born at the Dallas Zoo, Patti – a river hippopotamus – arrived in Milwaukee in 1972. Because the median life expectancy for a hippo living in captivity is 36.7 years, Patti was considered geriatric.
The zoo said that a preliminary autopsy suggests that the cause of death of severe gastroenteritis.
Because of her age Patti – who weighed 3,000 pounds – was on a regimen of supplements and arthritis medication.
Though Patti lived with the larger Happy, they did not share a space, though they were known to hang out together near their underwater gate.
The zoo says its animal care team will monitor Happy, though they expect him to adjust to the loss.
Patti had a daughter named Puddles who died in 2013 at the age of 37.
"Patti will be fondly remembered as an opinionated and spirited animal," the zoo statement noted. "In her later years, Patti became more engaged with her animal care team and even participated in voluntary blood draws last year. She participated frequently in behind-the-scenes tours, and many guests have video and photos of her opening her mouth, waiting for them to throw food in.
"Patti loved all kinds of fruit — especially cantaloupe and watermelon — and enjoyed having water sprayed in her mouth. Patti would hold her mouth open for as long as her care team would keep the hose going."
While visitors to the zoo may have been excited about the new Dohmen Family Foundation Hippo Haven that opened in 2020, Patti wasn't so sure at first.
"In the last two years, she finally began going out and enjoying the underwater viewing pool," the zoo said. "Patti was very curious and engaged with the public, coming over to the viewing window to watch all the guests – especially little kids."
The Hippo Haven is currently closed for the season due to the weather, but will reopen in spring so guests can see Happy.
Next fall, the third phase of Adventure Africa is due to open and it will include a new indoor space for Happy. At that time, the zoo said, it will "determine the potential transfer in of another hippo."
The zoo statement added that, "Patti contributed to a number of research projects over the years to help improve knowledge and care of her species. And Patti’s legacy will continue to live on: Biofacts from Patti will be donated to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Forensics Laboratory. The Wildlife Forensics Lab helps build cases that prosecute crimes involving wildlife trafficking. This hippo species is listed by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) as Vulnerable, in part due to threats from poachers and trophy hunters."
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
