Toronto Zoo says goodbye to senior goat Niles after a ‘long and remarkable life’

13-year-old Niles, a longtime resident of the zoo’s Goat World exhibit, was euthanized after his health declined due to advanced dental disease.

Niles, a beloved 13-year-old domestic goat who spent most of his life at the Toronto Zoo, has been euthanized after a recent decline in his health. Â As a geriatric goat, Niles was closely monitored by zoo staff over the past several months as they managed age-related changes.

“Following a sudden decline in his condition, the difficult but compassionate decision was made to say goodbye,” the zoo said on Facebook . Niles faced a serious health challenge in 2023 when significant dental issues made it difficult for him to eat, the zoo said. Specialized medical and nutritional care allowed him to “beat the odds” and enjoy two more years with his herd.

But Niles’ advanced dental disease created challenges in maintaining his body condition. “Despite our best efforts to support him, his condition progressed and we elected to say goodbye to him on July 7 through humane euthanasia,” the zoo said in a statement to the Star. A post-mortem examination confirmed that dental disease was the primary cause of his declining condition, the zoo said.

 “Niles lived a long and remarkable life, reaching 13 years old, which is an impressive age for a domestic goat,” the zoo wrote. The average lifespan for a domestic goat is 10 to 15 years, according to the zoo. Â

The zoo said it is grateful to everyone who helped make Niles’ “golden years just that: golden.” A longtime resident of the Goat World exhibit, Niles shared his habitat with six other domestic goats: Daphne, Romeo, Easter Bunny, Mollie Bean, Huey and Dewey.  Niles was born on Oct. 15, 2012 and had been in the zoo’s care since 2013.Â