Columbus Zoo mourns death of Shaggy the giraffe
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is mourning the death of Shaggy, the zoo's 22-year-old celebrity reticulated giraffe who was euthanized Friday.
"Over the weekend, Shaggy displayed signs of lethargy, prompting our dedicated Animal Health team to begin medical treatments," the zoo said on their official Facebook page.
Shaggy was not responding to the treatment, the zoo said, so an emergency procedure was scheduled. Upon a more thorough examination, medical personnel discovered "significant disease," and the zoo said the decision was made to humanely euthanize him.
"Shaggy's 'I do what I want' attitude and iconic presence in our giraffe tower made him a symbol of joy for all who visited" and fed him lettuce, the zoo said on its Facebook page. Shaggy became a fan favorite amongst zoo-goers and was popular for being picky about the type of lettuce that visitors and guests fed him, preferring only Romaine leaves.
"The team is so grateful for the countless wonderful moments and memories they shared with this remarkable giraffe. Shaggy will forever hold a special place in our hearts, and the giraffe barn will not be the same without him," the zoo said on its Facebook page.
Shaggy was born at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was one of the first giraffes to join the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Heart of Africa exhibit in 2013 and was known for his white "socks" and his unique markings.
The reticulated giraffe is one of four species of giraffe and are located throughout eastern, central, and southern Africa. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the Giraffe Conservation Foundation list their conservation status as "endangered". They are the world's tallest mammals, with the males standing at 18 ft. tall. Both males and females have spotted coats, with different patterns depending on their habitat to help them camouflage. They are social animals and live in loose, open herds varying from 10 to 20 giraffes.
smeighan@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Columbus zoo announces passing of shaggy the giraffe
