MADISON, Wis. — The Henry Vilas Zoo on Thursday announced the recent deaths of two of its animals.
Franklin, a male meerkat, was euthanized on Aug. 29 following what the zoo called a “quick decline in his health.” He was 14 years old, far older than the average life expectancy of a meerkat in the wild which is between 6-8 years.
Since his arrival at the Henry Vilas Zoo in 2018, Franklin fathered eight offspring: Teak, Acacia, Baobab, Cedar, Peach, Lemon, Fig, and Jackfruit…