ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – The ABQ BioPark Zoo announced an iconic resident has sadly passed away. Carl, the king cobra, has passed away from a bacterial infection. Carl came to the ABQ BioPark in 2011. The king cobra was 24 years old, and zoo officials said most only live about 20 years. Rio Grande Arts and Crafts Festival returns for 34th event Zoo keepers will remember Carl as spunky and full of life in his habitat with one saying he enjoyed just how active he was. Many visitors said they went to the zoo just to see Carl. He was very popular and an impressive addition to the reptile collection.