ANTWERP (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Hermione, a 44-year-old hippopotamus at the Antwerp Zoo, suffers from age-related health problems including arthritis, rheumatism, abscesses and bedsores, putting her at risk of drowning and other complications. The zoo is considering euthanizing her.
Hermione is a 44-year-old hippo who has serious health issues due to her age. In the wild, hippos usually live to be around 35 years old, so Hermione is quite old for her species. She suffers from arthritis, which causes joint pain and difficulty moving. She suffers from rheumatism, which causes discomfort in her muscles and joints. To make matters worse, she has an abscess. An abscess is a painful infection that requires medical treatment. All of these health issues show how age has affected her, and she says she needs special care to help manage her pain and stay comfortable.
What will happen to Hippo Hermione?
Hermienne also suffers from bedsores, which are painful ulcers on her skin caused by staying in one position for too long. These ulcers are a huge concern for her, as she has difficulty standing or moving. Her poor skin condition makes her more prone to infection, which makes her even more uncomfortable. As fall and winter approach, her health could worsen, as the cold and damp weather makes the ulcers even more painful. Senior veterinarian Jonas Spruit says everyone at the zoo is really worried about Hermienne, but it’s very important to address her problem quickly. He feels it would be irresponsible to wait too long and feels they need to act quickly to help her feel better.
Hermien is at risk of drowning in the pond because her joints are so weak, meaning she may have difficulty staying afloat or getting out of the water when needed. Jonas Spruyt, the chief veterinarian at Antwerp Zoo, is very concerned about this situation. He knows that her arthritis and other health problems make it difficult for her to move and maintain balance. Because of these problems, it is important for zoo staff to closely monitor her and ensure her safety around water. They may need to take special precautions to keep Hermien safe while preventing accidents and managing her health issues.
If left untreated, Hermien could face serious problems. She could drown in a pond because her joints can no longer support her, or she could be found in her own feces because she can’t move. Neither of these situations is ideal for any animal. A decision is being considered to help her leave the world in peace. Visitors will have the opportunity to say goodbye to her throughout the month.
