Cheyenne Mountain Zoo announces passing of oldest giraffe, Amani

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (CMZoo) says one of its giraffes, 26-year-old Amani has passed away.

CMZoo says Amani had been suffering from health issues related to her age, so the zoo made the decision to euthanize her on Wednesday. She was the oldest giraffe at CMZoo and the ninth oldest in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, according to officials.

The zoo says Amani often spent time with another giraffe, Lakeisha, and loved eating lettuce from guests.

“Amani was one of the first giraffe I ever worked with, and I had the privilege of working with her for fourteen years,” giraffe specialist Diana Miller said in a press release. “Her name means ‘peaceful,’ and it really was the perfect name for her. 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.”

The zoo says Amani would often store food in her cheeks and during training sessions, she would eat those instead of taking new ones from staff. They say the other giraffes also looked to Amani as a source of comfort and calm, as the oldest member of the herd.

CMZoo says it helped give Amani a "Last Best Day," where they let her eat her favorite snacks and spend time with other members of the herd.

Amani is the fourth giraffe to die this year. Two giraffes died a week apart in March, and another giraffe passed in August.

“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and kind messages from our community as we remember Amani and the other animals we have recently lost," CMZoo president and CEO Dave Ruhl said in a press release. "We know these animals have been part of your lives, too, and we are honored to share their stories with you. If you are grieving an animal you came to know and love at the Zoo, know that your grief is a reflection of the connection you shared with them. That connection is one of the most special parts of what we do.”

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