Post-mortem examination results have shown that a nine year old alligator who passed away at the National Aquarium of New Zealand was suffering from pneumonia.
The alligator - named Fiona - shared an enclosure with another alligator, Sheryl. Aquarium Manager Rob Yarrall says staff found Fiona lying at the bottom of her pool, and immediately raised the alarm.
"She was removed from the pool and a vet was brought in to examine her. We x-rayed her to determine the extent of her illness, but by the time the results were in, she had passed away."
At the time of her death last Friday, Fiona had been receiving antibiotic treatment for a cut on her foot, but was otherwise "in perfect condition."
"The post-mortem showed there was a bacterial infection, along with fluid on the lungs and around the heart. Unfortunately, reptiles are experts at masking any illness, which is great self-protection when they live in the wild, but when you're an alligator living in an aquarium, it's very difficult for keepers to tell if there are any health issues."