Overview
- The zoo says Kiko became caught in an opening door on Jan. 1 while exploring an additional behind-the-scenes area of his habitat.
- Staff responded immediately, but the giraffe panicked and his injuries proved fatal due to the species’ anatomy.
- The zoo’s Health and Safety Services team has launched an investigation, and a full postmortem is underway at the University of Guelph.
- Kiko had been receiving specialized behind-the-scenes care for a hoof and foot injury in recent months, which influenced his routine and space access.
- As part of a cooperative breeding program, Kiko sired two calves and a third is due with female giraffe Mstari, and the zoo notes Masai giraffes are IUCN-listed as endangered with just over 43,000 remaining in the wild.