Rafiki the giraffe.Photo:Brevard Zoo/Facebook
Brevard Zoo/Facebook
A zoo in Florida is mourning the loss of one of its visitors' favorite residents.
Rafiki — a 25-year-old giraffe — was humanely euthanized on Sunday “following ongoing age-related medical issues” at the Brevard Zoo, officials announced on the zoo’swebsiteTuesday.
The animal, who had arthritis, was one of the original five giraffes to be on habitat when the zoo’s ‘Expedition Africa’ opened in 2003.
The zoo also shared how they had recently started hospice care for Rafiki and increased his pain medication, but his “condition and quality of life worsened over the weekend.”
Adding that the zoo was “heartbroken” to lose Rafiki, the post continued, “Please keep our staff and volunteers in your thoughts during this time. While this is a difficult loss for our Zoo family, we recognize how much Rafiki meant to you and the rest of our community."
“On Tuesday, September 12, a memorial area will be available at the front entrance of the Zoo. Please share with us a special memory you have, bring your favorite photo of him or write us a message.”
Zoo officials described Rafiki’s age as “exceptional,” with the median lifespan for male giraffes being about 15.9 years.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The zoo added that Rafiki’s legacy will live on through his 2-year-old son Mapenzi, who will become the zoo’s new breeding male giraffe.
“There is no doubt his legacy will live on, in his descendants, in our keepers, in our guests and volunteers, and in the amazing care we provide to all our animals,” said Africa Platform area supervisor Alyssa Simon in a statement. “He will be greatly missed.”
source: people.com
