Death of cherished giraffe calf at Greenville Zoo

The Toronto Zoo recently shared the tragic news of the death of Kiko, a beloved 13-year-old male Masai giraffe, born at the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina. According to a statement shared on social media, Kiko's passing took place on New Year's Day in a heartbreaking accident where he got his head caught in a door while exploring a behind-the-scenes area of his habitat. Despite immediate assistance from zookeepers, Kiko's injuries proved fatal due to the unique anatomy of his species. In recent months, Kiko had been under special care for a hoof injury, and a full autopsy is being conducted at the University of Guelph as the zoo's Health and Safety Services team investigates the incident. The zoo is committed to learning from this tragedy to prevent similar occurrences and intends to share the findings with the wider community. Kiko, who was part of an important breeding program for Masai giraffes, had a significant impact on conservation efforts, leaving behind a legacy as the father of two calves with a third expected soon. The loss of Kiko, who arrived in Toronto in 2015, is especially poignant given the decline in Masai giraffe populations in the wild, which have been decreasing due to various threats. His mother, Autumn, continues to play a vital role in giraffe conservation efforts, giving birth to her seventh calf in June 2025.