Izzy the saltwater crocodile at the National Aquarium has died unexpectedly, well short of the 80 years the species can live to.
"Izzy came to us as a baby crocodile around 20 years ago so is a key member of our aquarium family," Rob Yarrall, the manager of the Napier aquarium, said yesterday.
"Not only are we clearly feeling the loss, but so will many of our visitors, who always loved to see Izzy during their visits."
The croc had shown no signs of ill-health, leaving aquarium staff puzzled by her sudden death.
A vet will do a post mortem to establish the cause of death.
During winter Izzy went into semi-hibernation and was quieter than usual, Mr Yarrall said.
"Once we have come to terms with the loss of Izzy it will be good to have some answers we can share with everyone."
The aquarium said it planned to organise a fitting farewell for its special friend.
Despite the name, Izzy's sex had never been determined, because this could be done only by internal examination.
It came to the aquarium from a crocodile farm in Singapore.
