27-year-old bison dies at Assiniboine Park Zoo  

Wilma, the oldest bison ever cared for at Assiniboine Park Zoo, is pictured in an undated image. (Assiniboine Park Zoo)

A 27-year-old bison, who’d been a part of the Assiniboine Park Zoo herd for over 25 years, has died.

On Friday, the zoo announced the passing of an American bison named Wilma, who was the oldest bison ever cared for at the facility.

Wilma arrived at Assiniboine Park Zoo in January 2000 when she was not yet a year old.

Over the years, the zoo said, she became a “steady and familiar presence on the prairie landscape, living beyond the typical life expectancy for bison in human care.”

“Wilma was our long-standing herd matriarch,” the zoo said in a Facebook post.

“She was a fierce and loyal protector and helped newer herd members settle in when they first arrived.”

As she got older, Wilma received geriatric support but had no significant underlying health conditions.

Things changed on Thursday when she started to show signs of disorientation and behaviour consistent with a neurological event.

The zoo’s team responded quickly, anesthetizing and examining Wilma. Ultimately, the zoo said it determined euthanasia was the best course of action given the bison’s age and condition.

“Wilma’s passing leaves four bison remaining in our herd,” the zoo said.

“She will be deeply missed by the animal care team, who provided her with attentive and compassionate care throughout her life.