Shushu Rutanga, a male Shoebill stork at Ueno Zoo, sadly passed away yesterday, March 1, 2018. The cause of death was heart failure due to arteriosclerosis and infection.


Chouchou Rutanga arrived at the park from Vogelpark in Germany on June 21, 2007. She is estimated to be over 23 years old.

In late January 2018, bleeding was observed on the sole of the right leg, and treatment was carried out in the backyard. However, in mid-February, inflammation developed in the joint, and the dog began to limp when walking. There was a temporary period when the dog seemed to regain its energy, but on the afternoon of March 1st, it became weak, and death was confirmed at 5:45 PM. Autopsy revealed severe arteriosclerosis, and it is believed that the dog developed heart failure due to a concomitant infection. Further pathological examinations and other tests will be conducted to investigate the cause of death in more detail.

Shushu Rutanga is a wild-caught individual. We tried to keep him with the females at Ueno Zoo, but it did not result in breeding. Compared to the other individuals, he was not used to people and had a strong-willed side, sometimes even approaching women.

Following the death of Shushu Rutanga, Ueno Ueno Zoo now has one male and three female Shoebill.

(March 2, 2018)