'Truly iconic' Santa Barbara Zoo giraffe dead at 16
A popular Masai giraffe named Michael was euthanized Wednesday at the Santa Barbara Zoo after his health declined from a form of arthritis, according to zoo officials.
Michael lived at the zoo for more than 11 of his 16 years. Zoo officials said the elderly animal had battled age-related degenerative joint disease. Accommodations had been made to his habitat and barn to lessen the effect of the illness but he took a turn for the worse in recent weeks.
Michael arrived in Santa Barbara in 2011 from Parc Safari in Quebec, Canada, and had been a much-loved animal of both visitors and staff, according to the zoo.
"Michael’s close encounters with guests touched countless lives and created lifelong memories," said Rich Block, the zoo's president and CEO, in a statement. "He brought a lot of heart to our community.”
The giraffe was considered the most genetically valuable male Masai giraffe in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan. Over the years, he sired 11 calves, including his most recent, Raymie, a year-old male calf who resides at the zoo.
In addition to Raymie, the Santa Barbara Zoo is home to Masai giraffes Adia and Audrey. The animals are among more than 120 Masai giraffes that live at 28 North American accredited zoos.
Dr. Julie Barnes, vice president of the zoo's animal care and health, said Michael's contribution to the population was "vital to the genetic health and sustainability of the population," which is now endangered in the wild.
"He connected with thousands of visitors at the feeding deck, giving them the opportunity to marvel and appreciate this iconic and unique species," she said in a release.
The zoo described Michael as a "truly iconic giraffe who will be deeply missed by everyone in our zoo community."
The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. for members and 9:30 a.m. for general admission until 5 p.m. For more information, visit www.sbzoo.org.
This article originally appeared on Ventura County Star: 'Truly iconic' Santa Barbara Zoo giraffe Michael dead at 16
