DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHP) — ZooAmerica’s Southwest Garden will be a little less lively after the deaths of two beloved roadrunners.
The zoo, connected to Hersheypark, said Sunday that both of their roadrunners died in the last few months.
Amarilla, a 14-year-old female, was euthanized in April due to a growing cancer mass. She had been at ZooAmerica since 2011 and was described as a “people roadrunner” who would greet zookeepers and get along well with other animals.
Amarilla was also the oldest living roadrunner within the Association of Zoos & Aquariums facilities, according to ZooAmerica.
Dash, a 9-year-old male, died unexpectedly in late June. The zoo said it’s waiting for a necropsy to confirm his cause of death.
Dash had been at the zoo since 2017 and was known to give Amarilla gifts and perform courtship rituals for her.
ZooAmerica said it has no timeline on when it will receive more roadrunners for its habitats, but it’ll eagerly welcome them as soon as possible.
The Garden is a bit quieter, the heat lamp area is less crowded and their sweet souls will be fondly remembered and missed by every worker and visitor.