Denver Zoo’s Kazi The Giraffe Dies

Kazi, the two-year-old reticulated giraffe that has become one of Denver Zoo’s most beloved attractions, has died after a routine medical procedure, Tuesday.

According the Zoo’s official website, Kazi ( Giraffa Camelopardalis reticulata ) passed away after he underwent castration, a common zoo practice. The practice is to decrease male giraffe’s natural “competitive and aggressive behavior.” At the same time, castration will allow multiple non-breeding giraffes to coexist.

Another giraffe, Dobby, was also castrated.

“We intended to castrate Kazi – just as we had done with Dobby – to help ensure that the pair would be able to live together and be strong companions for many years to come,” the Denver Zoo said.

Although Kazi’s castration procedure was a success, Fox 31 said that the animal started having difficulty in breathing while he was recovering from anesthesia. He then stopped breathing entirely.

The veterinarian and medical staff who spearheaded the procedure took immediate actions, including reintubating and applying CPR to the animal. Their best efforts, however, proved to be futile as Kazi was pronounced dead.

Kazi was shipped to Denver Zoo from Milwaukee in September to become Dobby’s “social partner.” Both giraffes quickly settled and became good friends.

Kazi and Dobby also bonded with the zoo’s Animal Care team and with “other giraffes in the herd.”

Among others, Kazi was described by Denver Zoo personnel to be a “laid-back, social animal” who loved to interact with the visitors of the Zoo.

“Although his time at the Zoo was far too short, Kazi touched the many guests, staff members and volunteers who were lucky enough to be his 10-foot-tall presence,” the Zoo’s statement continued.

Kazi became the fourth giraffe when he was introduced to the Zoo’s herd the previous month. His name means “labor” in Swahili since he was born just before Labor Day.

As Dobby’s constant companion, Kazi stood at a towering 10 feet, but is more than a foot shorter than Dobby. The two-year-old reticulated giraffe also had “distinctive white spots inside of his brown ones."

A previous article by the Denver Zoo also pointed that Kazi was also introduced to Kipele, 26, and Heshimu, 17. The animals highlighted the Zoo’s Giraffe Feeding Encounters where guests are given a chance to hand feed resident giraffes with some of their favorite food.

In addition, the Giraffe Feeding Encounters will also give them access to giraffe experts that will guide them to know each member of the herd.