The oldest male giraffe in North America, according to Denver Zoo officials, and the longtime patriarch of the zoo’s giraffe herd has died.
Dikembe, 24, sired 17 calves during his time at the Denver Zoo, including Dobby, who celebrated his first birthday in February, according to a news release.
Today we bid farewell to Dikembe, who at 24 years old was the oldest male giraffe in North America, and the longtime patriarch of the Zoo’s giraffe herd. He will be remembered fondly as gentle, charismatic and goofy…
— Denver Zoo (@DenverZoo)
Over the past several years, Dikembe has been treated by zoo veterinary staff for a variety issues. He was recently euthanized because his quality of life had been steadily declining, zoo officials said.
Zoo staffers and guests will remember Dikembe as “gentle, charismatic and goofy,” the release said.
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