ZOOKEEPERS decided to put down an “inseparable” pair of animal best friends on the same day – to avoid either of them getting lonely.
The “difficult decision” was made by heartbroken staff at Newquay Zoo, in Cornwall, as the duo both struggled with age-related issues.
Al, a 20-year-old Brazilian tapir, and Johnson, a nine-year-old capybara, formed an incredible bond while in the South American enclosure.
The zoo favourites had shared the space together for almost ten years.
Newquay Zoo said the decision had been made after “careful assessment and consultation” between vets and animal care teams.
The animal park broke the tragic news to fans with a heartbreaking post on social media on Friday.
It wrote: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the loss of Johnson, our nine-year-old capybara, and Al, our 20-year-old Brazilian tapir.
“The difficult decision was made to humanely euthanise both animals due to age-related health decline.
“This has been an incredibly difficult loss for those who cared for them daily.
“Both animals were much-loved members of our zoo community, and their absence will be felt by staff and visitors alike.”
Al – born in 2005 – arrived at Newquay Zoo in 2014, after travelling from Gdansk Zoo in Poland.
He was joined by Johnson in the enclosure three years later, after the capybara was born at Chester Zoo in 2016.
Over the years, their relationship has gone from strength to strength – something keepers have put down to the species sharing similar traits.
Both capybaras and tapirs are inherently very calm and social creatures, making them ideal companions.
But the duo had faced a number of health battles over the past few months, impacting their quality of life.
The decision to euthanise both animals would prevent either from experiencing “isolation following the loss of a companion”, keepers said.
A Newquay Zoo spokesman told MailOnline: “This has been an incredibly difficult loss for those who cared for them daily.
“It was difficult for us to say goodbye to them both at the same time, but it was the kindest thing for them.
“Both animals were much-loved members of our zoo community, and their absence will be deeply felt by staff and visitors alike.”
Devastated fans of the dynamic duo were quick to pay touching tributes on social media.
One wrote: “We are so saddened to hear of the loss of Al and Johnson. We wish all their keepers and friends much strength to bear this loss.
“Both were true ambassadors for their species and very dear to us as well.
“It comforts us to know that they did not suffer and are now reunited with their loved ones.”
Another penned: “My partner and I got to see these two for the first time Last October and it was so abundantly clear that the two were best buds.
“Gutted that they’re gone, but no doubt they had the best team looking after them.”
And a third added: “We’re having a little cry here but understand and the decision as their welfare has to come first.
“My youngest looked after them when they were studying at Newquay College.
“We have hundreds of photos and footage of them on our phones.”
Newquay Zoo houses almost 1,000 animals across its 13-acre site.
It was first opened in May 1969 and was recently purchased by Dutch firm Libéma last December.
