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Meadow Gold mascot Lani Moo dies at age 12

COURTESY PHOTO
Lani Moo arrived at Honolulu Zoo when she was less than a year old. Her death leaves an opening for a new ambassador for Meadow Gold.

Meadow Gold is searching for a new ambassador after the company’s mascot and the Honolulu Zoo’s longest- residing cow, Lani Moo, died earlier this month.

Lani Moo lived at the zoo for over 12 years, arriving as a calf less than a year old, before being diagnosed with cancer. She was euthanized the week of April 11 to end her suffering, according to a city spokesperson.

The bovine was the third Lani Moo that Meadow Gold, known for its dairy products, has donated to the zoo, in addition to providing the Lani Moo barn and educational exhibits. The first so-named cow took up residence in 1996.

“We were all very fond of her, as she brought joy to not only the lives of thousands who visited the Honolulu Zoo, but to the dedicated team that looked after her wellbeing daily. She will be dearly missed,” said Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos in a news release.

Meadow Gold has a long history with the Honolulu Zoo dating back to the Depression era when the zoo nearly closed after its grounds and facilities fell into disrepair. However, in 1947 the Dairymen’s Association, which would later become Meadow Gold Dairies-Hawaii, donated a camel, an elephant, chimpanzees and a deer to the zoo, sparking its renewal, according to the news release.

“We are grateful to the Honolulu Zoo and its amazing caretakers for making Lani Moo so welcomed and a part of their family,” said Meadow Gold CEO Bahman Sadeghi in the release.

“We are honored that this Lani Moo was able to share in the experiences of so many for over a decade. We look forward to our continued partnership with the Honolulu Zoo.”

The Honolulu Zoo and Meadow Gold are beginning to plan a celebration of life for Lani Moo. In the meantime they are searching for “the next ambassador who will continue to bring joy to the many zoo visitors from across the globe, and raise awareness among children about good health and nutrition and the production process of milk,” the release said.

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