Lords Park Zoo in Elgin euthanizes bison

ELGIN, Ill. (AP) — A zoo in northern Illinois has lost its longtime bison resident Po-Key.

A veterinarian at The Lords Park Zoo in Elgin euthanized the 21-year-old animal Tuesday after it became apparent she was suffering a serious injury or illness.

A typical bison lives to be 20 to 26 years old.

The (Arlington Heights) Daily Herald reports (http://bit.ly/14Wbx35 ) that Po-Key was born and raised in the Elgin zoo.

Bison have been a tradition at Lords Park Zoo since 1909. But Po-Key had been on her own there since 2011, when a bison named Dakota died.

Then, just a few weeks ago, the nearby Brookfield Zoo donated two other bison to keep her company.

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Information from: Daily Herald, http://www.dailyherald.com