Philadelphia Zoo Mourns Loss Of Nation's Oldest Aardvark

The Philadelphia Zoo is mourning the death of its beloved aardvark AJ, who was 28 years old.

The zoo announced Wednesday that in his old age, AJ died of heart failure.

AJ was the oldest known aardvark in the country, the zoo said.

He arrived at the zoo at about 1 year old after being born on Nov. 4, 1988 in Cincinnati, zoo officials said.

"Out staff will miss him and he will be missed by guests, too," said Dana Lombardo, the zoo's Director of Communications. "Our keepers and guests have wonderful bonds with the animals.

While AJ has left us, Sunshine, a 13-year-old aardvark, still lives at the zoo.

Image via Philadelphia Zoo