A white-naped crane named Walnut, who captured the heart of the internet for choosing her zookeeper as her mate, has died at 42.
The Facebook page for the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute informed followers that Walnut's age had surpassed the median life expectancy, which is 15 years, for the endangered species under human care.
Walnut's parents were illegally captured from the wild and brought to the U.S. in the early 1980s and were later rescued by the International Crane Foundation in Wisconsin. Walnut hatched in the summer of 1981 and was hand-raised and socially imprinted with humans.
Zookeeper Chris Crowe was paired with Walnut after the crane was transferred from another zoo because she didn't get along with other cranes, most notably prospective mates.
She was sent to the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, where the long-necked bird bonded with and developed a "crush" on Crowe.
“We were a big part of each other’s lives," Crowe told the Washington Post.
Walnut considered Crowe her mate for 20 years.
Because she would not get along with male cranes, artificial insemination was the only way for her to breed.
"The reason why they're declining is because of us," Crowe said of the species' population. He said there were 5,000 in the wild.
He told the news outlet.
"We're destroying their habitat, we're shooting them, we're poaching them."
"Their situation is entirely man-made, so I think the situation needs to be man-made as well."
To gain her trust, Crowe pair-bonded with her by imitating courtship acts, such as flapping his arms like wings.
Crowe said what Walnut enjoyed most was him helping her build a nest, a ritual normally practiced between male and female cranes.
Artificial insemination can be troublesome as it entails two people forcibly holding down birds, but Crowe found the procedure possible when Walnut first opened her wings and solicited for him to mate with her during mating season.
It was a sign that he had not only gained her trust but took a strong liking to him as well.
Explained Crowe:
"The idea formed, instead of me catching her for the artificial insemination, I could do it with her just standing there willingly."
He continued:
"What we do is when she has fertile eggs, we slip them into another crane pair's nest so they end up being raised by a pair of cranes."
Walnut eventually produced eight chicks, two of which have gone on to naturally breed with other cranes and have offspring of their own.
The zoo's Facebook post detailed Walnut's declining health.
"The morning of Jan. 2, keepers noticed Walnut did not eat or drink. Our veterinary team administered fluids and antibiotics while they evaluated her bloodwork," the announcement read.
"Keepers presented Walnut with favored food items such as frozen-thawed mice, peanuts and mealworms to improve her appetite and encourage her to eat."
"Unfortunately, she continued to decline and was transported to the hospital, where she died naturally with the animal care team by her side. A necropsy revealed renal failure as the cause of her death."
The internet mourned her loss.
After Walnut's death, Crowe shared:
“Walnut was a unique individual with a vivacious personality."
"She was always confident in expressing herself, an eager and excellent dancer, and stoic in the face of life’s challenges. I’ll always be grateful for her bond with me."
"Walnut’s extraordinary story has helped bring attention to her vulnerable species’ plight."
"I hope that everyone who was touched by her story understands that her species’ survival depends on our ability and desire to protect wetland habitats.”
Rest in peace, Walnut.
May you soar with the angels.
