The ABQ BioPark is mourning the loss of Otto, a 16-year-old Tasmanian wombat. Otto was humanely euthanized on July 19 due to complications from age-related chronic kidney disease, as his quality of life had declined significantly.
Wombats are solitary marsupials native to Australia and Tasmania with a typical lifespan of about 15 years in the wild. The animal care staff at the BioPark ensured that Otto lived comfortably beyond this expectancy.
Otto arrived at the BioPark in 2010 as a one-year-old non-releasable rescue and quickly became beloved by guests and staff. He received high-quality care throughout his life, with special attention during his later years.
BioPark veterinarian Hannah Drumm explained, “For his senior care, we did what we could to keep him well hydrated. We also routinely monitored his bloodwork to look for signs of progressive kidney damage.” She added that although Otto had kidney stones, there were no safe removal options, so maintaining his comfort was prioritized.
Lisa Moore, one of Otto’s caretakers, described him as “our grumpy old man” who enjoyed destroying cardboard boxes and playing with his jingle ball. Moore shared that he loved carrots, sweet potatoes, and resting on his teddy bear in front of a swamp cooler during the day.
Otto will be greatly missed by all who knew him at the BioPark.
