The Toronto Zoo ended 2024 by bidding farewell to two geriatric, long-term residents, a 25-year-old spotted hyena and an 11-year-old American moose — the last in a series of animal deaths at the zoo last year.

The hyena, Moja, became lethargic and weak on Christmas Day, the zoo said in a social media post on Saturday.

After his health rapidly declined, “it was determined that euthanasia was warranted given poor prognosis for recovery,” the zoo said.

Moja was on the upper end of spotted hyena life expectancy, as the zoo said the species tends to live between 12 to 25 years.

Meanwhile, the moose, Lily, had been under observation since Dec. 23, after staff noticed her behaviour had changed and her abdomen was distended.

“She was reluctant to move, had an abnormal gait and general malaise,” the zoo said.

Lily was euthanized after staff did an examination, blood work and ultrasound. After her death, there are no more moose at the Toronto Zoo.

The zoo said it was thankful for Lily and Moja’s contribution and impact as “ambassadors for their species in the wild.”

7 animal deaths in zoo’s 50th anniversary year

Moja and Lily’s deaths are one of seven the zoo announced in 2024, its 50th anniversary year.

A two-year-old Masai giraffe died in July due to complications from anesthesia during surgery.

Charles, a western lowland silverback gorilla, died in October at the Toronto Zoo. He was 52 years old and had been at the zoo since its opening day. (@TheTorontoZoo/X)

In August, a 10-year-old female red panda died after experiencing health issues – only three weeks after one of her cubs died. Red pandas have a high mortality rate in their first year, the zoo said at the time.

The same month, an 11-year-old moose was euthanized after its health deteriorated. It was one of two in the zoo’s Canadian Domain, along with Lily, and had gone beyond the life expectancy of moose in human care, the zoo said.

And in October, the zoo lost Charles, its 52-year-old western lowland silverback gorilla, who had been at the zoo since its opening day in 1974.

On Friday, the zoo said the end of its 50th anniversary year is a reminder of the team’s “ongoing commitment” to animals in their care, particularly geriatric ones.

“It is a privilege to care for the animals that call the Toronto Zoo home and we are committed to their overall wellbeing throughout their entire lives,” the zoo said.