Beloved Giraffe Dies at Lincoln Park Zoo

CHICAGO – Lincoln Park Zoo's animal care staff made the difficult but humane decision this week to euthanize Sabrena, a geriatric female giraffe.

Sabrena was born at Oklahoma City Zoo. She was 28 years old and spent all but four years of her life at Lincoln Park Zoo. The median life expectancy for giraffes who survive their first year of life (a very risky time period for most mammal species) is 19.5 years.

“Sabrena would frequently be seen in the exhibit space mouthing at puzzle feeders, interacting with keepers or stretching her long legs outside,” said General Curator Dave Bernier. “Over the years, Sabrena developed very strong, trusting bonds with keepers and enjoyed training sessions where she would receive some of her favorite food items, including kale and fresh browse such as mulberry, honey locust and willow.”

Sabrena was one of many geriatric animals living at Lincoln Park Zoo. With advances in zoo medicine, nutrition, husbandry techniques and exhibitory, animals are living longer in zoos and aquariums around the nation, posing new challenges and creating advancements in geriatric care.

During her years at Lincoln Park Zoo, Sabrena was an ambassador for her wild counterparts, a species that was recently listed as vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

The Lincoln Park Zoo family is saddened by the loss, they said.