The death of Izzy the crocodile late last month was the result of a bacterial infection at the worst possible time of vulnerability - semi-hibernation.
Staff at the National Aquarium of New Zealand were as mystified as they were saddened by the death of the 20-year-old, 3m-long saltwater crocodile, but a
Ian Leadbetter, of Napier's Carlyle Veterinary Clinic, performed the autopsy and sent samples to Queensland for analysis. The report confirmed that the infection, coupled with a state of semi-hibernation, caused the croc's heart to stop.
The manager of the National Aquarium of New Zealand, Rob Yarrall said there had been no obvious signs of ill health leading up to Izzy's sudden death - crocodiles can live up to 80 years - on July 28.
"Crocodiles, along with many reptiles, have the ability to disguise illness to protect themselves from predators or others of their own species, " he said.
Another mystery that the report was able to clear up was the crocodile's gender. It had been confirmed Izzy was a female.
"It's really nice to finally know," Mr Yarrall said.
The National Aquarium has received many tributes in the way of emails, phone calls and flowers left by Izzy's former habitat, and there are plans for a plaque to be mounted by the enclosure to acknowledge her time, and popularity, at the aquarium.
There were also plans to find a new member for the aquarium which staff hope will have as much impact on visitors as Izzy did. Mr Yarrall said another crocodile, or alligator, was on top of the list, but no firm decision had been made yet.
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