Webster, under the care of N.C. Aquarium at Roanoke Island, was humanely euthanized Wednesday after the veterinary team found the Virginia opossum had inoperable cancer. Photo: NC Aquariums
After learning that educational animal ambassador Webster had inoperable cancer, the veterinary team at the North Carolina Aquarium on Roanoke Island made the decision Wednesday to humanely euthanize the Virginia opossum.
The difficult decision came after biopsy results confirmed a form of invasive cancer in Webster’s mouth the aquarium announced.
“These kinds of decisions are always, always difficult – and the team here at Roanoke Island is taking it very hard,” said Elizabeth Huber, husbandry curator at the Roanoke Island aquarium. “But Webster’s quality of life outweighs all else, and he will always be in our hearts and minds as we celebrate the joy he brought to so many of our visitors through our educational programs.”