Colorado zoo says ‘legendary giraffe’ Mahali has died at age 22

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KKTV/Gray News) - A zoo in Colorado said a legendary 22-year-old giraffe died last week following an age-related health decline.

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo said the giraffe named Mahali died last Thursday.

The zoo said Mahali was the second-oldest male reticulated giraffe in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Mahali went under anesthesia for treatments in 2017 and 2020 after experiencing foot and leg issues that impacted his mobility.

In 2023, the zoo chose not to risk putting him under anesthesia again and instead turned their focus to helping Mahali’s quality of life.

Environmental accommodations were made for him for the rest of his life.

The zoo said they made the difficult decision to euthanize Mahali last week because of his declining health.

“Mahali changed the way we think about caring for aging giraffes,” Rick Hester, the zoo’s animal behaviors curator, said. “It’s not often you have the opportunity to work with a male giraffe this old, and once we understood each other, we could try all sorts of accommodations to help him age comfortably.”

Mahali was born on Mother’s Day in 2003 and was the first giraffe to be born in the current giraffe barn.

The zoo said Mahali developed a communicative and trusting relationship with Hester.

“Even in a busy barn, Rick could call out, ‘Hey, Mahali,’ in a low monotone voice - Mahali’s eyes would sharpen focus, his ears would perk up, and he’d start scanning the crowd. Once he spotted Rick, he’d walk right over,” the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo said.

Amy Schilz, senior animal behaviorist at the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffes at the zoo, worked with Mahali for 12 years.

“Mahali was a rascal in his younger years,” Schilz said. “Some might we used to sell lettuce for giraffe feedings near the railing of the giraffe yard. We moved it because Mahali could reach over the railing, and he kept nudging staff to give him lettuce, like, ‘Hey, I see what you have there.’”

The zoo said that, as Mahali grew up, his confidence grew along with him. They said he was known for pulling on keepers’ shirts or pushing other giraffes out of the way to be the center of the keepers’ attention.

Jason Bredahl, the zoo’s curator of animal environments and former giraffe care manager, said Mahali had a “great last day.” Bredahl had been present for Mahali’s entire life.

“He went out into the yard with an enthusiasm we hadn’t seen in a few days,” he said. “He soaked up the sunshine and ate lettuce and tree branches while socializing with his herd and our guests.”

“We’re proud of the ‘bonus years’ we’ve been able to give Mahali, and we’re grateful for all the guests he has inspired and animal welfare he has taught us. It’s always hard when we know it’s time to say goodbye, but it’s also our final act of comion and stewardship for our animals.”

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