World's Oldest Giraffe Dies, Has 14 Cubs And Total 61 Offspring

JAKARTA - The world's oldest giraffe has died in an Australian zoo at the age of 31. The Taronga Western Plains Zoo in New South Wales, Australia, announced the bad news on Friday just weeks after this giraffe named Mutangi turned 31 years old.

Mutangi was the first calf to be born at the zoo in 1990. Since then she has given birth to 14 calves and has a total of 61 offspring.

Mutangi's two daughters still live with her at the Taronga zoo, while the other cubs have been sent to other enclosures around Australia and New Zealand.

Before she died, goalkeeper Bobby-Jo Vial described Mutangi as having "a lot of character".

"She's pretty naughty and she's always up for a challenge", he quoted the New York Post on December 6.

Taronga Zoo posted a tribute to Mutangi on their website, saying she "inspired thousands of guests through the giraffe encounters as well as the many dignitaries and VIPs who visited the zoo".

The zoo added that the Mutangi giraffe left a "tremendous legacy".

In June, on World Giraffe Day, goalkeeper Bobby-Jo said it was "a privilege" to work with Mutangi, his favorite to be with.

"We had a good relationship. It was a transactional relationship, so it was based on food, but also on trust. Being a farm animal, it took a long time to earn a giraffe's trust", he recalls.

jerapah — Illustration of a giraffe. (Wikimedia Commons/Lisa H)

The life expectancy of a giraffe in the wild is about 25 years, but it can be higher for animals in captivity.

In November, Jimmie the giraffe died at the US zoo in Maryland at the age of 26.

Jimmie was "humanely euthanized" at Plumpton Park Zoo after experiencing "continuous discomfort" in his feet and nails.

"Unfortunately, the condition of her nails and feet has progressed to where she is experiencing constant discomfort", the zoo said in a press release.

"In recent months, the zoo has consulted with five different veterinarians, including some of the leading zoo veterinarians across the United States, Africa, and Canada", the zoo added.

"All vets have reached the same conclusion that it is time to put Jimmie to sleep and end his growing discomfort", the zoo said.

Separately, Momo, Japan's oldest captive giraffe, has died at the age of 32, the park where the animal lives north of Tokyo said Monday, December 13.

Born at Nasu Safari Park in Tochigi Prefecture on December 30, 1988, female giraffes will approach 100 years of age in humans, far exceeding the 25-year average lifespan of giraffes raised in captivity. He died on Friday.