LV ZOO MOURNS THE PASSING OF ITS YOUNG AFRICAN PENGUIN
(Schnecksville, Pa.) – Lehigh Valley Zoo is heartbroken to share news of the sudden and unexpected passing of its young African penguin, Fritz. The Zoo’s veterinary team is facilitating further testing to determine his official cause of death.
Animal care staff monitors each penguin’s fish consumption during daily feedings, and refusing to eat can be an indicator that a penguin is unwell. When staff noticed that Fritz’s appetite changed and that he readily regurgitated the fish he consumed, the zoo’s Veterinary team examined Fritz to determine what could be upsetting his gastrointestinal system. Treatment protocols were initiated accordingly. The next morning, Fritz developed severe respiratory signs and became unresponsive. The animal care and veterinary teams intervened immediately and performed CPR, but Fritz did not recover.
In his short life, Fritz dealt with serious illness prior to his passing. He was developing well until about six weeks of age when animal care staff noted that his breathing had become deep and labored. He was examined by veterinarians and diagnosed with pneumonia. He was prescribed oral medications; however, his condition quickly became critical and he was admitted to the Veterinary Intensive Care Unit. Here, Fritz was provided concentrated oxygen in addition to receiving oral and nebulized treatments, which deliver medications as a mist so they may be inhaled directly into the lungs.
Throughout his 16 days in Intensive Care, animal care and veterinary staff worked together to ensure that Fritz was receiving adequate nutrition and gaining weight properly. When his care team noticed that his breathing improved and his white blood cell counts (an indicator of infection) came back down, he was released from ICU and returned to the indoor penguin habitat so that he could readjust to penguin life.
As a follow-up to his in-zoo treatment, the veterinary team collaborated with a local veterinary hospital to perform a CT scan, an advanced imaging technique designed to provide increased detail for detection of any abnormalities. Fritz’s CT was reviewed by a veterinary imaging specialist who found no abnormalities; thus, he was released from medical restrictions.
Over the next month, Fritz participated in swimming lessons and was carefully introduced to the penguin colony. After so much time and effort was spent on his care, it was incredibly rewarding to see Fritz take his first swim in the outdoor pool and watch him slowly integrate with the other penguins. The community was then able to “meet” Fritz and observe him enjoying his outdoor habitat, the Jaindl Penguin Pavilion.
The news was particularly devastating to the many staff members involved in his care and development. Fritz, who was hatched on May 8, 2026, is survived by mother Bahatiand father Thulani. Bahati was born at LV Zoo on May 8, 2017.