Mr. Grasping — an African penguin on the Maryland Zoo — has died at 33 … after fathering greater than 200 descendants throughout his lifetime.
The busy penguin handed away in late August … when zoo officers made the tough determination to place him down for age-related well being causes, the Maryland Zoo chook curator Jen Kottyan advised the Baltimore Banner.
Mr. Grasping was moved to the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore in 1992 and matched together with his mate — affectionately known as Mrs. Grasping — after about two years there, in line with the Banner.
Whereas they two had been solely presupposed to be matched for a pair years, they proved “genetically vaulable,” Kottyan says and birthed many generations of offspring … so, the zoo stored them collectively. He had roughly 230 descendants
Based on Kottyan, Mr. Grasping — who outlived his life expectancy of 18 years by an enormous margin — helped maintain the African penguin inhabitants afloat, contributing to continued survival everywhere in the world. .
The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore’s Penguin Coast — Grasping’s dwelling for greater than 30 years — has the second largest colony of African penguins on the planet … and, Mr. G’s the chook to thank for that.
Mr. Grasping was 33.
RIP
