This week’s news carried stories about Boomer, a 40-year-old Grizzly Bear, and Speed, a 150-year old Galapagos Tortoise. They were big attractions for years at their respective zoos, but they made the news this week because they both were euthanized.
Speed had been at the San Diego Zoo since 1933, but suffered from various aged-related maladies including severe arthritis. The zoo staff had attempted to treat him with medication, hydrotherapy, physical therapy, even acupuncture, but decided on Friday that it was time to end his suffering.
Boomer was a resident of the Houston Zoo. He came to the zoo in 2007 after being rescued from a private owner who was keeping him in unhealthy conditions. He was euthanized on Tuesday after a long period of declining health. Chronic arthritis, infections, and a bout with lymphoma had weakened him in recent years.
When does quality of life deteriorate to the point that it is better to end a life than attempt to prolong it? It’s a tough decision, and one that should be made not simply from a practical standpoint. It’s a decision that has to be made with love.
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