DENVER — Staff at the Denver Zoo decided to put down an aging giraffe due to her failing health.
The zoo announced on Tuesday that Masika, a 23-year-old reticulated giraffe, was “humanely euthanized.” In recent years, Masika had started to experience health problems typical of older giraffes and staff decided to euthanize her due to her deteriorating quality of life, the zoo said.
Giraffes typically live for about 26 years in the wild and 25 to 28 years in captivity, according to the zoo.
Masika was born at the Denver Zoo and gave birth to eight calves during her life there.
In a Facebook post, the zoo said Masika, whom staff called “The Princess," would be remembered as “gentle and charismatic.”