Dickerson Park Zoo 'humanely euthanized' giraffe matriarch due to 'severe arthritis'

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·1 min read
1

The matriarch of the giraffe herd at Dickerson Park Zoo was put to sleep on Tuesday due to poor health that was impacting her quality of life.

Gidget, who was just a few weeks shy of 31-years-old, was "humanely euthanized" because of "severe arthritis" on Tuesday morning, according to a news release.

“These decisions are never easy to make, but quality of life is our major concern," Head Keeper Tracey Campbell said in a news release. "Her keepers and the animal hospital staff made the decision as we knew she had reached the point where she was not going to get better.”

More: Dickerson Park Zoo celebrates 100 years of operation in 2023

Gidget was the second-oldest giraffe in an Association of Zoos & Aquariums accredited zoo in the United States. She was born at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Aug. 31, 1992 and was transferred to Dickerson Park Zoo in 1993.

As the matriarch of the giraffe herd, Gidget contributed 12 offspring to the Dickerson Park Zoo. Still at the zoo, Emma and Caley are her daughters and Ajali is her granddaughter. Outside of Dickerson Park Zoo, Gidget has multiple generations of descendants in facilities across the country.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Dickerson Park Zoo 'humanely euthanized' giraffe matriarch