New Zealand has been left without a captive pelican, following the death of a long-time resident at Wellington Zoo.
Lanky was euthanised after his health deteriorated.
Having lived at the zoo since 1978, staff are understandably distraught.
"He has been a real character and much-loved by everyone who has cared for him over the last decades," says general manager of animal care Mauritz Basson.
The team had been monitoring Lanky's health over the past few years after he started to show lameness in one leg.
"Lanky had regular medical examinations and we were able to manage the arthritis in his ankles with pain relief and anti-inflammatories, but his lameness increased over recent months."
He'd become hesitant to put weight on that leg and started to refuse food and medication.
Mr Basson says the decision to euthanise was in Lanky's best interest.
Lanky had an eventful life even before his arrival at Wellington Zoo. He arrived from Adelaide Zoo, and was hand-raised with three other young pelicans saved from drought.
His remarkably large beak was a drawcard for visitors, who could see him up close as he preened his feathers.
Senior keeper Phil Wisker, who cared for Lanky for the past nine years, says some visitors felt a special bond with the bird.
His enclosure was near Monkey Island, and he could often be seen swimming in the moat.
Mr Wisker remembers him for his cheeky nature.
"Lanky's favourite food was kahawai, and he consumed a kilo of fish every day.
"However, he was definitely seen from time to time sneaking food off his neighbours, the capuchin monkeys and spider monkeys, who may not have appreciated his behaviour."
Australian pelicans are commonly found throughout Australia.
New Zealand did have a native pelican which died out before human colonisation, and was believed to be a sub-species of its Australian cousin.
Wellington Zoo was also known for a record-setting pelican, Percy, who made it into the Guinness Book of World Records as one of the longest-living birds -- he lived until the age of 62.
Newshub.
