Berlin Zoo's Rothschild Giraffe Max Euthanized After Tragic Fall

The 13-year-old giraffe, a key contributor to research, could not recover after a fall during playful interaction with a companion.

Max, a 13-year-old Rothschild giraffe at the Berlin Zoo, was euthanized after suffering a fall during a playful interaction with another giraffe, Mugambi.
Attempts to help Max stand up after the fall were unsuccessful, with experts citing the difficulty of recovering giraffes from such incidents due to severe muscle and ligament damage.
Giraffes are highly vulnerable to organ damage if they remain lying down for extended periods, which was a critical factor in the decision to euthanize Max.
Max was notable for his contribution to research, being the only giraffe in Europe trained to wear a halter for data collection on giraffe communication and behavior.
This marks the second recent loss of a major animal at the Berlin Zoo, following the sudden death of an elephant, Victor, in January due to a lung infection.