Sedgwick County Zoo says goodbye to Lois the giraffe

The Sedgwick County Zoo said goodbye Thursday to one of its longtime residents.

Lois, a 22-year-old reticulated giraffe, was euthanized after medical staff found a cancerous mass in her jaw. The mass was found while Lois was under anesthesia after staff noticed she was lethargic, had a running nose, cough and poor posture. Despite treatment, Lois’ condition worsened the past two weeks.

“Given Lois’ age and signs of illness, it was determined that the cancer could not be treated successfully and the decision was made to humanely euthanize her,” the Sedgwick County Zoo said in a statement.

Lois was born August 4, 1998, at the Buffalo Zoo. She arrived at the Sedgwick County Zoo in October 1999.

“Lois had three calves – Charlie, Pili, and Elliot Kelly – all contributing to the survival of the species,” the release says. “Elliot, born in 2011, currently lives at Sedgwick County Zoo.”