LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) - A giraffe who had lived at the Louisville Zoo since 1997 has died, the zoo announced.
Malaika suffered from musculoskeletal problems that led to stiffness, lameness and difficulty moving, the zoo said Wednesday. When the 23-year-old female Masai giraffe’s pain could not longer be controlled, her keepers and veterinarians decided to euthanize her Wednesday, the staff said.
Malaika was born at the Los Angeles Zoo and arrived at the Louisville Zoo in 1997. She gave birth to five bull calves between 2000 and 2012.
Two other Masai giraffes shared the exhibit with Malaika - 4-year-old male Baridi and 3-year-old female Kianga.
Masai giraffes are the largest subspecies of giraffe and the tallest land mammals on Earth, reaching between 15 to 18 feet (4.5 to 5.4 meters) and 1,800 to 2,600 pounds.
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