Woodland Park Zoo Press Release

SEATTLE - A 25-year-old female giraffe was humanely euthanized today at Woodland Park Zoo. The elderly animal, named Sukari, had several age-related disease conditions. Zookeepers had been providing daily comfort measures for Sukari, including a waterbed-like cushioned floor installed four years ago to ease her discomfort when lying down. She enjoyed the one-on-one attention provided by her caretakers.

Photo: Ryan Hawk

The average life expectancy of giraffes in the wild is 10 to 15 years. In zoos, however, giraffes can live 20 to 25 years due to the evolving field of medical science for wildlife, improved nutritional programs and excellent animal care.

Sukari was less than a year old when she arrived at Woodland Park Zoo in 1982 from Dallas Zoo. “As animals reach the end of their life expectancies, we try to prepare for their passing. But it is still sad losing a geriatric animal, especially one that has lived virtually her entire life with us,” said Woodland Park Zoo General Curator Dr. Nancy Hawkes. “Sukari was very sweet and gentle and the keepers enjoyed working with her. She was an iconic animal who brought joy and inspiration to our many visitors and school groups. We’re grateful for her long life here at Woodland Park Zoo. She will be missed.”

Sukari produced four offspring, which are all living at other zoos. A 10-year-old and a pair of 1-year-old giraffes, all males, remain at the zoo and can be seen at the award-winning African Savanna.

Woodland Park Zoo participates in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) to help ensure genetic diversity and demographic stability for the giraffe species. To date, 11 giraffes have been born at Woodland Park Zoo, but two were stillborn.

Giraffes belong to the family Giraffidae, which has only one other species, the okapi. Giraffes range mostly in eastern sub-Saharan Africa, while certain populations also live in the western and southern parts of the continent. Adult males stand 15 to 18 feet tall, whereas females are shorter at 13 to 16 feet.

Accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting a standard for zoos all over the world. With conservation, education and excellent animal care at the core of the zoo’s mission, the zoo is helping to save endangered species in Washington state and around the world including tree kangaroos, snow leopards, red-crowned cranes, African wild dogs, western pond turtles and Oregon silverspot butterflies. By inspiring visitors and others to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future.