Bramble Park Zoo Mourns Loss of Longtime Resident ‘Bowser’

Northeast Radio SD News - Watertown, SD - Staff and visitors at Bramble Park Zoo are mourning the loss of a beloved fixture of the reptile department. The zoo announced that Bowser, a prominent Alligator Snapping Turtle, was humanely euthanized on Wednesday, January 14, following complications from cancer.

Bowser had been a resident of the Watertown facility since April 2010. Over his nearly 16-year tenure, he earned a reputation for a “larger-than-life personality” that defied the typically sedentary nature of his species.

“He will be greatly missed—especially his morning greetings and his gentle nature with young guests peering through his viewing window,” the zoo staff shared in a heartfelt tribute.

A ‘Dinosaur’ with Personality

Alligator Snapping Turtles are often referred to as the “dinosaurs of the turtle world” due to their primitive, spiked shells and massive size. While the species is known for being an ambush predator—using a unique worm-like lure on its tongue to attract fish—zoo caretakers noted that Bowser had his own distinct way of interacting with his environment.

According to zoo staff, Bowser was known for several distinctive behaviors. He frequently rearranged his enclosure to his liking, demonstrating a form of interior design. His active mornings included engaging in early morning fishing and bobbing for tortoise pellets. Additionally, Bowser exhibited a strong sense of community, greeting staff members and showing a peculiar gentleness toward visiting children.

Legacy at Bramble Park

Zoo Superintendent Stacy Plocher and the animal care team expressed gratitude to the community for its support as they process the loss. Bowser was more than just an exhibit; he was an educational ambassador for a species that is listed as vulnerable in many parts of the United States.

The Alligator Snapping Turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in North America. While they can live up to 70 years or more in captivity, Bowser’s life was cut short by health complications that the veterinary team determined were terminal.