Senior September! Meet the Senior Animals of the Zoo

Posted August 20, 2025 by Angela Hatke

At the Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden, caring for animals is a lifelong commitment. Just like people, animals experience changes as they age—slowing down, developing age-related health conditions, or needing extra support in their daily routines. Our dedicated animal care teams, including keepers, veterinarians, and nutritionists, work closely together to ensure each animal receives individualized care tailored to their needs. From modified habitats to specialized diets and enrichment, and medical attention, we do everything we can to keep our aging animal residents healthy, comfortable, and thriving.

Animals in Zoos tend to live longer than they would in the wild, where there is no such thing as senior care. They are safe from predators, get plenty to eat and receive medical treatment for common ailments such as a bad tooth or arthritis.

Preventative care is also responsible for the longevity of Zoo seniors. Thanks to the training expertise of the animal care team, the Zoo’s veterinarians are able to perform many medical procedures without using anesthesia. They’ve employed operant learning techniques (positive reinforcement for desired behaviors) to teach gorillas to stand in place for cardiac exams, hippos to tolerate blood draws and giraffe to participate in hoof care.

Meet some of the Cincinnati Zoo’s older animals:

African Animals

John

African lion
14 years old

Akili

Painted dog
11 years old
She is moving a little slower these days so we make sure to keep a bench next to a step that the dogs have to jump up onto to go outside, so it is less of a jump for her

Bert, Louis, Zevon, Mark

Meerkats
11 years old
These brothers have been getting a joint supplement for a few years to help prevent or slow arthritis, decrease inflammation and ease discomfort associated with joint pain.

Tessa

Giraffe
19 years old
She gets joint medication that similarly helps prevent or slow arthritis, decrease inflammation and ease discomfort associated with joint pain.

Sabu, Mai Thai and Schottzie – Asian Elephants

Sabu

37 years old
He receives a joint supplement to help slow the progression of any age-related joint deterioration.
He engages in an exercise sessions a few times a week designed to strengthen the muscles that keep him strong, flexible, and stable.

Mai Thai

52 years old
She receives a joint supplement to help slow the progression of any age-related joint deterioration.
She engages in an exercise sessions a few times a week designed to strengthen the muscles that keep her strong, flexible, and stable.

Schottzie

49 years old
She receives a joint supplement to help slow the progression of any age-related joint deterioration.
She engages in an exercise sessions a few times a week designed to strengthen the muscles that keep her strong, flexible, and stable.

Mai Thai
Schottzie
Schottzie in between Mai Thai (left) and Gretchen
Baby Schottzie
Schottzie
Sabu & Kabir
Sabu
Sabu

Isla the Tamandua

11 1/2 years old
Tamandua lifespan is 7-9 years
Isla was diagnosed with spondylosis and arthritis
With this diagnosis her care team wanted to make sure that she was able to navigate her habitat easier instead
Her care team made modifications to her habitat and added ramps and a ladder with rungs that her tail could grab for extra support

Lana the Bonobo

46 years old
Lana is currently on naproxen 2x day to help IF she has any aches or pains for being an older animal.
She is also on a medication for cardiac heart disease. This is the number one cause of death for great apes in human care.
Her care team does routine voluntary cardiac ultrasounds to keep a close eye on her heart health.
They monitor her weight closely and make sure she is not receiving too much sugar in her diet.
Her care team placed special permanent furniture items in bonobo bedroom areas that allow older animals to move around easily.
Enrichment is a huge part of a great ape’s life, and their care team makes sure they receive various forms of enrichment throughout the day to allow them to elicit natural behaviors (like tool use).
Training is also a huge component of our day to day with apes. Lana loves to train and interact with her keepers!

Sam the Bald Eagle

around 26 years old
Sam retired from flying in 2024 due to vision issues but guests can still see him during the Ameritas Wings of Wonder in the summer!
He currently gets annual eye exams as part of his annual work ups.
His care team altered what he does in the Wings of Wonder this year from short flights to just coming out on his keeper’s glove.
His care team is navigating how he is responding to training cues and observing how he is moving around his home.
His home is already modified for his limited flying ability with lower perching.
He gets medicine every day for joint health for his right wing.

Savanna the Cheetah

13 years old
Savanna retired from running after her care team noticed increased arthritis in her spine.
She moved from the cheetah running yard down to the cheetah habitat to allow her to have a relaxing place to retire and give her more opportunities for enrichment walks around the zoo in her old age.
She loves taking walks, especially seeing the ducks on swan lakes and the African penguins.
She is also getting medication for her arthritis, which helps to ensure she isn’t in pain as she is ages.

Cat Canyon and Night Hunters

Renji

Snow leopard
14 years old

Joseph and Tecumseh

Cougars
14 years old
Kidney Disease: To increase his fluid intake, water is mixed into Joey’s Nebraska meat diet and injected into his weekly rabbit. He is also offered frozen blood cubes. To help with the warmer temperatures, the cougars are given access to their holding area if it is over 80 degrees and fans and a mister have been added to the habitat. Both cougars are also trained for voluntary blood draws so their kidney values can be regularly monitored.

Ali

Aardvark
21 years old

Mitzie

Bearcat
20 years
Arthritis: Mitzie has had several habitat modifications to help with her arthritis and mobility. Ramps have been added around the habitat and vines have been wrapped around branches to encourage continued climbing and movement. She is on medications from our vet staff that help her mobility. Staff has also worked with our nutritionist to make diet modifications as Mitzie’s appetite and preferences have changed

Luce & Seymour

Indian Flying Foxes
21 and 18 years old
Arthritis
New perching and ropes have been added to the habitat to allow additional roosting locations. The ceiling of the habitat has also been modified to add a new mesh section to allow easier movement throughout the habitat. UV lighting is also being installed to provide them more unique lighting.

Zola

Black-footed Cat
13 years old
Heart Murmur and Heart Disease
Zola is currently on three different medications every day to help with her heart disease. Her medication is given in a special treat of chicken baby food. She also now has a water fountain to encourage her water intake and staff monitor her respiration rate, counting her rate multiple times week. An increased respiration rate can be an indicator of her conditioning worsening.

Chipo

Aardwolf
15 years old

Every animal at the Zoo is a valued member of our family, and we’re honored to support them through all stages of life. As they grow older, they often become ambassadors for their species in a new way—reminding us of the importance of long-term care and conservation. Whether it’s a beloved senior cougar, a wise old elephant, or a gentle aging fruit bat, we treasure the opportunity to continue learning from and caring for these incredible animals.

Senior SepTENber

Starting on Monday, September 1, Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden is offering adults 62 and better $10 admission on weekdays. The offer is good throughout September.

National Grandparents Day is September 7, so that’s a great occasion to take advantage of this special pricing for the special older person in your life!

Event Info

Animals, Keepers, Veterinary Care,