Photo: Plumpton Park Zoo
Jimmie the giraffe, possiblythe world’s oldest living malegiraffe, died recently at the age of 26.
Plumpton Park Zoo announced that Jimmie was “humanely euthanized” shortly after 10:00 a.m. on Thursday at their facility in Rising Sun, Maryland. The animalentered hospice carelast month, according to CBS13.
“Unfortunately, his hoof and leg conditions had progressed to where he was experiencing constant discomfort,” the zoo said in a press release on Thursday.
“In the last few months, the zoo has consulted five different veterinarians, including some of the leading zoo veterinarians across the United States, Africa, and Canada,” the zoo added. “All of the veterinarians had reached the same conclusion, that it was time to euthanize Jimmie and end the progression of his increasing discomfort.”
According to the zoo, the facility explored all the treatment options available to Jimmie before euthanizing the senior animal. Despite being on “a vast array of different medications” for his pain, Jimmie’s condition progressed to the point where “they were becoming less and less effective.”
Plumpton Park Zoo
Not only was he believed to be the oldest male giraffe alive, but records show that Jimmie was likely the sixth oldest male giraffe ever known when he died, per Plumpton Park Zoo.
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“With that notoriety came the sad realization that he could not go on forever,” the zoo said in Thursday’s statement. “For many of us at Plumpton Park Zoo, we cannot properly articulate how profound his loss will be going forward.”
The next task will be finding a new partner for Jimmie’s former mate Annabelle. The zoo said they “do not want her to be alone” and have started a fundraiser to help bring a male giraffe to the zoo.
Jimmie spent 25 of his 26 years at Plumpton Park Zoo, according to CBS13. Zoo director Cheryl Lacovara previously told the station that giraffes typically have a lifespan of 20 years.
source: people.com
