Riverbanks Zoo and Garden announces death of Susan the Giant Pacific Octopus

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WCBD) – Riverbanks Zoo and Garden announced Thursday the death of its Giant Pacific Octopus named Susan.

The zoo said its veterinary and animal teams have worked together over the past year while Susan aged, or what the zoo called “senescence,” which is a natural stage for the octopus species marking the completion of a life cycle.

Susan’s quality of life was monitored every day throughout the process.

“The aquarists, who knew Susan so well, thoughtfully monitored her quality of life every day. With the utmost care and compassion, and always prioritizing Susan’s well-being, the teams made the decision to help her transition peacefully,” the zoo said in their announcement.

Susan was named after Susan F. Boyd, who contributed to Riverbanks Zoo and Garden’s conservation efforts through The Boyd Foundation.

The octopus was housed in the Darnall W. and Susan F. Boyd Aquarium & Reptile Conservation Center, where she helped biologists and aquarists “better understand her remarkable species and the importance of marine conservation.”

Zoo leaders said a new octopus is acclimating behind the scenes and will join the exhibit in the coming weeks.