“Quilliam was an integral part of our Discovery Zoo family, and he will be sorely missed,” Stephanie Hylinski, the museum’s curator of live animals, said in a news release.
Hedgehogs have short lifespans, and usually live two to four years under human care. The Boonshoft Museum’s Live Animal staff made the difficult decision to have him humanely euthanized.
Quilliam took over Groundhog Day duties in 2017 after Rosie, the beloved Boonshoft groundhog, died of cancer.
Credit: Marshall Gorby
Credit: Marshall Gorby
The annual event became known as Hedgehog Day at the museum.
Quilliam was an educational ambassador animal and traveled around the Miami Valley to various community organizations inspiring and entertaining children and adults alike.
How to help
In honor of the memory of Quilliam, the Boonshoft Museum is offering supporters an opportunity to assist the Live Animals Department in caring for the animal ambassadors.
Through the Adopt an Animal program, patrons will be able to symbolically adopt Quilliam for the next 30 days. Contact the museum at 937-275-7431 or www.BoonshoftMuseum.org for more information.
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