Remembering Jack & Blanche
Hogle Zoo mourns the passing of bonded African crested porcupines.
Utah’s Hogle Zoo is mourning the loss of geriatric African crested porcupines Jack (19) and Blanche (25). Both porcupines were being treated for age-related health issues, including tooth loss and arthritis, for several years. We made difficult decisions to humanely euthanize Jack on August 3, 2024, and Blanche on August 8, 2024, after their health declined rapidly.
African crested porcupines are monogamous and mate for life. Blanche came to Hogle Zoo in 1999, and Jack came in 2006. They’ve been together ever since as a mated pair. Blanche always kept an eye on Jack and was always near him.
Jack and Blanche were indeed ambassadors to their species and were loved by many. Guests may remember them for their porcupine parades and their “porcasso” animal enrichment art, which they painted by walking across canvasses.
Although Jack and Blanche had ups and downs in their geriatric years, we are grateful for the honor of caring for them. They were beloved Small Animal Building residents and will be missed immensely. Thank you to their community, including our dedicated zoo team, for being part of this sweet pair’s lives.
Animal wellbeing
Hogle Zoo’s mission is to create champions for wildlife, and we consider ourselves lucky to care for senior animals. Providing excellent animal wellbeing through individual health plans, like Jack and Blanche’s geriatric care, is an essential priority for Hogle Zoo.
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