Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announces death of 19-year-old giraffe Laikipia

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) says one of its oldest giraffes has passed away without human intervention.

According to officials, 19-year-old female Laikipia, passed away early on Monday after having a sudden decline over the past few days. Laikipia was born at CMZoo in 2007 and was known by zoo staff and members as "Big Love."

Kacie Meffley, the giraffe manager at CMZoo, says Laikipia had a peaceful passing and was remembered as one of the largest giraffes in the herd.

"“It seemed to be a peaceful passing, and her herd mates were nearby," Meffley said in a press release. "She was a big giraffe in stature and in presence, and she was gentle. She was ‘big love’ embodied, and she’ll be deeply missed by our herd and humans alike.”

Laikipia weighed around 2,000 pounds and was tall for a female giraffe, according to zoo officials. She was one of the oldest and largest giraffes in the zoo's herd. Zoo officials say she played the role of "nanny giraffe," and though she never had any babies herself, she was welcoming to new giraffes and calves.

CMZoo says Laikipia was a part of the zoo's hoof care program since it first began, something they say helped when she needed treatments for hoof and joint issues in July. She had had a hoof care check the day before she passed and the CMZoo says the check-up showed she was healing well and on the road to recovery.

The zoo says they will continue to study Laikipia's hoof anatomy and share their findings with other giraffe care teams.

Laikipia is the third giraffe to pass away at CMZoo this year, after two passed away a week apart from each other in March.

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