Berlin’s army of animal-lovers are in mourning after the death of the zoo’s oldest resident: 75-year-old Ingo the flamingo.
After his long and healthy life, twice as long as the average flamingo in the wild, keepers said Ingo had been poorly for several days and died of old age on February 3rd.
While zoo records are not complete, a metal ring on his pink leg reading “3.6.1948 Cairo” suggests that Ingo may also have been the world’s oldest flamingo.
[ Berlin dog-lover has day in courtOpens in new window ]
“Thanks to great care, Ingo reached the grand old age of 75,” said Andreas Knieriem, Berlin zoo director.
Israel says it will not allow Iran to use Syria crisis to its benefit
‘I don’t know where I am going’: Manchester police criticised for mass expulsion of Traveller youths on trains
Democrats sift through the debris of a presidential season that went horribly wrong
Podcast giant Joe Rogan may have played key role in US elections
Born during the Berlin airlift, Ingo – pink and 150cm in height – came to West Berlin in 1955 and had several batches of children, though it is not documented how many.
Plans are already under way to have him stuffed and handed over to Berlin’s natural history museum alongside other famous former zoo favourites, including Knut the polar bear.
With Ingo’s passing, the zoo senior crown passes to Fatou, a female gorilla – who is 66 years young.
- Sign up for push alerts and have the best news, analysis and comment delivered directly to your phone
- Find The Irish Times on WhatsApp and stay up to date
- Our In The News podcast is now published daily – Find the latest episode here
