Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo Says Goodbye to Zeppelin the Grey Wolf

Following extensive consultations with veterinarians and our animal care team, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) had the sad responsibility of euthanizing one of the grey wolves named Zeppelin on Thursday.

“It is always difficult to make a decision like this when it comes to the animals that we care for,” says Zoo Manager Jeff Mitchell. “Zeppelin had an amazing life here at the Zoo and will be remembered for his spunkiness and adventurous nature”.

Over the past few years, Zeppelin had been facing some serious arthritis issues that were being managed under veterinarian care. In recent months, his condition continued to deteriorate and his ability to cope with the arthritis under medication was no longer effective at keeping him pain-free.

The average life expectancy of a grey wolf is six to eight years in the wild and up to 15 years in zoological facilities. Buddy, Zeppelin’s long-time companion, is the same age and showing similar age related issues.

“We know that this will be an especially tough time for Buddy,” says Mitchell. “We are going to do everything we can to help him adjust to being a lone wolf. Our animal care team has developed a plan to give Buddy as much attention and enrichment as he needs”.

Zeppelin and Buddy first met after joining the Zoo family in 2007. Although the pair were not litter mates, Buddy and Zeppelin quickly bonded and became life-long companions.