On the last day before her death, Amani the reticulated giraffe enjoyed her favorite things: eating lettuce from guests, hanging out with her best friend, Lakeisha, and munching on crackers.
staff euthanized Amani on Wednesday due to a decline in her health, zoo staff announced in a news release. At 26, she was the oldest giraffe at the zoo and the ninth-oldest giraffe in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The median life expectancy for a giraffe in human care is 20 years, according to the association.
Amani was born at the zoo in 1999 and, over the following years, charmed staff and visitors alike with her calm and steady presence, according to the zoo. Staff often paired calves and new arrivals to the herd with Amani, whom they trusted to care for the newcomer.
Amani loved to spend time with Lakeisha and eat lettuce offered to her by guests, according to the zoo. Instead of pushing to the front to nab lettuce from guests’ hands, she often waited patiently — with the tip of her tongue sticking out slightly — in a place where she knew visitors would pass by.
“Her name means ‘peaceful,’ and it really was the perfect name for her,” said giraffe specialist Diana Miller, who cared for Amani for 14 years. “She had this calm, steady presence, but she also had just enough spice to keep us on our toes. She knew what she wanted, and she would let us know. She had a quiet confidence about her that I really admired.”
