Curators gathered around Tom-Tom, Joburg Zoo’s 42-year-old Shetland pony as the veterinarian readied to humanely put him down yesterday.
At the ripe old age of 42, he has gone way beyond the average lifespan of ponies, which is about 30.
The procedure was undertaken on Thursday, 26 July at 14:30 due to renal failure. In the recent weeks, Tom-Tom had started to slow down considerably, was struggling to eat and to walk and it was thought to be related to age-related arthritis.
“It is with a heavy heart that we bid farewell to one of Joburg Zoo’s senior residents and a favourite attraction, Tom-Tom,” stated the MMC for Community Development in the City of Joburg, Councillor Nonhlanhla Sifumba.
The Joburg Zoo’s curators attempted to keep him warm and to pamper him before he was examined by the veterinarians. Once the blood tests were received on Monday, 23 July that confirmed that any further treatment will be futile - it was resolved among the medical team that he would be put down.
Tom-Tom arrived at the Joburg Zoo on 19 October 1977 as a donation and was estimated to be one year old at that time.
Although he was often thought of as being pensive, he was one of the stalwarts that brought much calm to the Delta Section of the Zoo by providing steady companionship to Jody (another Shetland pony) and Crown (a Shire horse) in the same enclosure. Shetland ponies are generally considered intelligent and friendly, and are popular with young children learning to ride, as they can be easily mounted and have a gentle personality. They are also used as guide animals and in therapeutic programs for the mentally or physically challenged.
“Ponies and horses may generally live between 25 - 30 years. Living past the ripe age of 40, is testimony to the high-standards of animal husbandry at the Joburg Zoo, and we would like to extend our gratitude to all the keepers and curators, including the medical staff, who cared for Tom-Tom, until the end”, stated Sifumba.
Media Enquiries:
Jenny Moodley - Spokesperson: Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo
T: 011 712-6615/082 8030 748
E: jmoodley@jhbcityparks.com
W: www.jhbcityparks.com
