Mert, The Goose, Beloved “King of The Bronx Zoo is Dead at 29

People Magazine once called Mert, “The King of The Bronx Zoo” and now, the beloved goose who patrolled the children’s zoo for almost three decades is at peace after a battle with a tumor in his abdomen.

The Bronx Zoo announced on Tuesday that Mert was compassionately euthanized as his condition deteriorated and put an end to his suffering.

According to amNY, he was one of the more popular animals on Animal Planet’s hit show, The Zoo.

Goodbye, Mert, and know you touched countless lives with your presence. Our sympathies to all who cared and loved him, especially his caretaker, Mel.

The animals we care for mean the world to us and losing them is like losing a family member.