Staff at the zoo noticed that Greater was suffering with arthritus and complications of old age, and was put to sleep on Friday, January 31.
The popular bird, who survived a beating from a group of nasty teens in 2008, arrived at Adelaide Zoo in 1933.
As reported on the BBC news website, Zoos South Australia chief executive Elaine Bensted said that no treatment could have improved Greater’s condition.
“Although this is an extremely sad loss for us all, it was the right thing to do,” she said.
Greater is survived by his live-in companion Chilly the Chilean flamingo, and zoo officials have said that they will keep a watchful eye on him to make sure he’s coping after Greater’s demise.
Image credit: Facebook/ Zoos South Australia
