Sioux Falls zoo’s beloved giraffe Chioke euthanized after injury

• On March 28, a giraffe named Chioke died at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
• Chioke had to be euthanized due to a severe fracture in his front left leg.
• Born at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, Chioke has been at the zoo since 2007 and has grown to nearly 15 feet tall.

A beloved giraffe at a South Dakota zoo has died.

On Thursday, the Great Plains Zoo and Butterfly House & Aquarium in Sioux Falls announced the death of Chioke, an 18-year-old reticulated giraffe. He passed away on March 28th.

“Following a severe fracture in his left front leg, animal care and veterinary leadership made the difficult but responsible decision to humanely euthanize him,” the zoo said in a news release. Stated.

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Born at Busch Gardens in Tampa, Florida, Chioke came to the zoo in 2007. Chioke grew to about 15 feet tall and he gave birth to three cubs, who were then moved to other zoos. Great Plains Zoo remembered him for his playfulness.

The zoo said he had recurring problems with his hooves and feet in his later years, including two fractures at the tips of his toes and associated arthritis. He suffered a more severe fracture in March.

The zoo consulted across the country for a treatment plan and used several methods, including medication, rest, and laser therapy, but in the end, the team ruled out surgery or orthopedics to immobilize Chioke. Due to quality of life concerns, the decision was made to euthanize Chioke. When the device was installed, X-rays showed that the fracture had worsened.

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Zoo staff came to say goodbye to the giraffe and gave it an apple biscuit, its favorite food.

“We remember Chioke as a gentle, curious, and mischievous giraffe who was always feeding and interacting with keepers and visitors,” the zoo said. “‘Chioke’ means ‘gift from God,’ and he certainly was.”