El Paso Zoo’s meerkat Babu euthanized after ongoing spinal issues

Meerkat Babu, which lived at the El Paso Zoo since 2010, has died.

“Babu was geriatric and had chronic spinal issues and will be missed dearly by Zoo staff and guests. Staff describes Babu, who enjoyed meeting Zoo visitors in the Kalahari Research Station, as friendly and curious,” Zoo officials said in a Facebook post late Wednesday.

Babu, 11, was euthanized this past Friday. Zoo officials tell ABC-7 veterinarian staff determined euthanasia was best course due to worsening of chronic spinal issues which limited his ability to move well. Babu had been treated for some time for spinal issues.

There are now six meerkats on exhibit at the El Paso Zoo.

Babu came to the El Paso Zoo from the Santa Barbara Zoo as the last living descendant of his family.

As of April 1, 2014, there were eight meerkats at the El Pao Zoo.

Meerkats are very territorial so Babu and a companion lived in the Research Station while the other meerkats lived outside.

Zoo officials say the companion is being introduced to the other meerkats to live with them.