The State - News from Feb. 6, 1989

Yvonne, the San Francisco Zoo’s ailing koala, has died of pneumonia, Zoo Director Phil Arnold said. The koala became ill Jan. 15. Arnold noted that acute pneumonia was common in koalas and was usually fatal within three days. Arnold said the popular koala was treated with antibiotics, a specialized aerosol therapy for the lungs and a soy-based nutritional supplement. “It’s been a very emotional time at the zoo,” Arnold said. “She would rally for a few days and then lose her appetite. The staff did everything they could to keep her eating. . .”