Sedgwick County Zoo says farewell to elderly giraffe

A longtime Sedgwick County Zoo animal has been euthanized.

On Tuesday, the zoo posted on Facebook that Twiga, a 26-year-old reticulated giraffe, was put down Monday. Twiga was born at the zoo in 1994 and long outlived the average life expectancy of 19 years for giraffes in a zoo, the zoo said.

She gave birth to five calves during her time at the zoo.

Twiga had chronic ailments such as “osteoarthritis of the feet and legs, hoof issues, and a decline in body condition,” which are common for older giraffes.

“Twiga was on a special diet to help her maintain body weight, and she was on daily medication for arthritis over the past few years,” the zoo said. “Many alternative therapies had been tested for arthritis treatment, but animal care staff found it increasingly difficult to keep her comfortable. As is the case in other aging animals, euthanasia eventually becomes the clear choice when all other treatment options have been explored and proven ineffective.”