The Milwaukee County Zoo's giant Pacific octopus has been humanely euthanized

Chalupa, the Milwaukee County Zoo's female giant Pacific octopus, was humanely euthanized on Jan. 25.

According to a statement from the zoo, staff had noticed last August that Chalupa had laid eggs and gone into senescence — described by the statement as "a normal part of the octopus life cycle that occurs before death."

"More recently the team noted that Chalupa's skin began to change color, she was no longer eating, and she didn't have much control of her body. This was when the decision was made to humanely euthanize her."

Chalupa is estimated to have been about 3 years old at the time of her death. Giant Pacific octopuses typically live 3 to 5 years.

Sea stars and an anemone lived in the habitat along with Chalupa and have been relocated to the Puget Sound habitat. The zoo is preparing the space for a smaller octopus species in the future.

More:Here are Milwaukee County Zoo animals we said goodbye to in 2023. And those we welcomed.