Honolulu zookeepers mourn the death of hippo

The Honolulu Zoo is mourning the loss of a hippopotamus named Rosey who enjoyed interacting with visitors.

The 25-year-old, 3,000-pound hippo was found dead Friday morning, said zoo Director Jeff Wilkinson.

Wilkinson said it’s unclear whether Rosey died Thursday night or Friday morning.

The results of a necropsy will be available in two to three weeks as blood and tissue samples were sent to a lab on the mainland.

"There was no indication of illness, and we do keep personnel to monitor them (the hippopotamuses) very carefully,"Wilkinson said, adding that the animals receive medical exams at least once a year.

Rosey came to Honolulu 24 years ago from a mainland zoo. She was one of the two female hippopotamuses at the zoo.

Louise, 26, was moved out of their exhibit area the hippos had shared while Rosey’s body was removed.

When the exhibit will reopen depends on Louise’s status.

Wilkinson said she will be monitored to make sure she’s in good health and as stress-free as possible.

The zoo will get another hippo for the exhibit, Wilkinson said.

"We will definitely make sure she has companionship," he said.

The exhibit features a 40,000-gallon pond and a small grassy area.

According to the Wildlife Conservation Society, hippos are social herbivores and live in large groups. The hefty mammals are semi-aquatic, spending most of their days submerged in shallow water, and reside across much of Africa.

They can live as long as 50 years, according to Wilkinson.

Addressing the zoo’s unexpected loss, he said Rosey was a "really big part of the zoo family, and so it’s a hard time for all of us. And we also think it’s going to be hard for admirers of her throughout the islands."