Longtime Yakut cattle Sakha and Maany die at Leningrad Zoo

The animals died a short time apart: first the cow Sakha passed away, followed by the bull Maany.

As the institution explained, the animals had reached a venerable age for their breed: Sakha was 18 years old, Maany was 17. Recently, their age-related ailments had worsened: the cow was diagnosed with a severe form of cancer, and the bull developed serious joint problems.

Zoo staff provided the animals with constant care until their final days. Veterinarians did everything possible to ease their condition, and keepers tried to please the animals with attention, toys, and special scratchers.

Sakha and Maany had different personalities. Until his last months, the bull willingly interacted with guests and loved attention, while the cow, with age, had a hard time tolerating noise. A separate enclosure outside the main exhibition area was set up for her to provide a calm environment.

Sakha arrived at Leningrad Zoo in 2007 from the Yakut zoo «Orto-Doydu.» Her name comes from the Sakha Republic. According to staff, the cow felt particularly good in cold weather and loved frosty days.

Maany came to St. Petersburg in 2008 as a six-month-old bull calf. His name translates from Yakut as «beloved» or «elegant.» He was distinguished by a soft and kind disposition; even in old age, he enjoyed playing with large plastic balls and Christmas trees.

«Unfortunately, nature has allotted everyone their own time. Sakha and Maany have left us, leaving behind kind and bright memories,» the zoo noted.

The institution expressed condolences to all who knew and loved Sakha and Maany. Special thanks were given to the bull Maany«s guardian—Larisa Nikolayevna Orel—who regularly visited him, giving him toys and treats.

It is recalled that last year, the Leningrad Zoo also lost the tiger Zeus, who was brought from Mariupol and had a difficult life.