SEATTLE - This morning Woodland Park Zoo veterinarians humanely euthanized Rafiki (Ruh-FEE-Kee), a 13-year-old reticulated giraffe, due to degenerative, traumatic joint injuries that proved inoperable. The middle-aged male suffered from chronic knee joint and foot problems probably caused by an injury that occurred when he was very young. Giraffes generally live 20-25 years in captivity.

Rafiki arrived at the zoo in 1985 from the Calgary Zoo in Calgary, Alberta, Canada where he was born. Woodland Park Zoo keepers first noticed Rafiki’s affliction in 1990 when they realized that the animal’s knee was growing crooked. Zoo veterinarians and periodic consultations with veterinary orthopedic specialists repeatedly concluded it was not worth risking the giraffe’s overall good health to attempt the potentially life-threatening corrective surgery. Over the course of the next seven years, Rafiki led a normal life; his mobility was minimally affected; he reached a full height of 16-and-a-half feet and a weight of about 2,250 pounds; and he successfully sired four offspring - two males and two females.

Early this year, Rafiki’s condition deteriorated - his right leg bothered him more and more. Pain medications provided only symptomatic relief. Finally, last week the inevitable occurred as Rafiki’s normally functioning left leg began to show signs of stress from the weight it was bearing for the right leg. Given his condition, Rafiki could not lie down comfortably and get back up in a coordinated fashion. His lameness had deteriorated to the point that the most humane decision was to euthanize him.

"Rafiki was a very good animal, a wonderful male," noted keeper Phil Pennock. "He was an excellent father, never aggressive or rough with his babies, but very curious and attentive toward them." Because giraffe herds are primarily matriarchal, with males joining herds only long enough to mate, the remaining giraffes - three adult females and a male born October 21, 1997 - should not be tremendously affected by the loss according to Pennock.

Zoo visitors can see the giraffes in the award-winning African Savanna exhibit, depending on the weather. If the giraffes are not out on the savanna, they can most likely be seen in their barn or new corral.