Pelagia, Warsaw Zoo’s 40‑year‑old African hippopotamus, died on December 23 2025 after a monitored euthanasia considered a compassionate care decision.
Euthanasia Following Lifelong Monitoring
Pelagia, the 40‑year‑old African hippopotamus, died on December 23 2025 after a monitored euthanasia described by the zoo as a compassionate care decision following assessment of her comfort.
Pelagia’s Global Journey
Born at Wroclaw Zoo on 19 September 1985, she was named Isaura after a popular Brazilian telenovela. A year later she moved to Paris, where her name changed to Pelagia. After stints in Germany, she arrived at Warsaw Zoo in 2011.
Character and Intelligence
Caretakers described Pelagia as “defiably strong‑footed” and unyielding, noting her sharp intelligence and ability to sense and disrupt human plans. She was often compared to an “older lady with a tote bag full of bricks.”
Family Ties and Offspring
Pelagia lived with male Hugon, born 29 May 2007 at Ostraw Zoo and 22 years her junior. In Warsaw the pair did not produce offspring, though Pelagia had given birth to seven young earlier in her career.
Celebrations and Legacy
In September 2025, Warsaw Zoo hosted a 40th birthday celebration featuring feeding displays, keeper talks, photo contests, and training rewards. The zoo remembered Pelagia as “the queen who gave up her crown and title of Poland’s oldest hippo,” noting she may now rest peacefully by her private pool.