Fennec Fox Barkley Has Died at Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute

We are sad to share our Small Mammal House team said goodbye to Barkley, an 11-year-old fennec fox, June 18. The median life expectancy for this species is 11 years in human care. Barkley was afflicted with chronic skeletal issues, including some from birth. As he aged and compensated for these issues, he was also treated for severe arthritis. Keepers monitored Barkley closely and noted his balance, agility, food motivation and interest in enrichment, among other factors.

In March 2025, Barkley’s spinal disease began heavily impacting his mobility. To keep Barkley active, keepers trained him to voluntarily participate in physical therapy exercises. Veterinarians evaluated Barkley regularly and prescribed steroids and various pain medications to keep him comfortable. Within the last couple weeks of his life, Barkley refused to take his medications, which exacerbated his discomfort. Due to his poor prognosis and declining quality of life, the animal care team made the decision to humanely euthanize Barkley.