Boss, Oldest Penguin At Maryland Zoo, Dies At 34

BALTIMORE, MD — Boss, the oldest African penguin at the Maryland Zoo, died last week when he was humanely euthanized due to declining health, according to zoo officials. He was 34 years old.

According to Jen Kottyan, avian collection and conservation manager at the zoo, Boss became lethargic a few weeks ago.

"(He) was being closely monitored by the Penguin Coast care team and zoo veterinary staff," Kottyan said in a release. "At such an old age, his health was in gradual decline.”

Boss was born Oct. 12, 1985, in Montreal, Quebec, and came to the Maryland Zoo in 1990. He lived in the Rock Island habitat until 2014 when the zoo opened the Penguin Coast exhibit.

During his life, Boss produced 30 offspring and was a grandfather and great-grandfather to many penguins. He was the second-oldest male penguin in the North American African penguin population, according to the African Penguin Species Survival Plan of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

The median life expectancy for male African penguins in human care is 22 years.