Twigga, who at 29 was among the oldest giraffes in the
U.S., has been euthanized. She had been on pain management medications related to her age-related arthritis for some time. Based on Twigga’s comfort and behavior, the Zoo's veterinary team decided this week that humane euthanasia was now the best course for her. Giraffes typically live into their late teens to early twenties.
Twigga, born at the Knoxville Zoo and a member of the Philadelphia Zoo family since 1979, was an extraordinarily gentle giraffe, a favorite of Zoo staff and guests alike, and raised six calves over her years here. At 15 feet, she was tall for a female giraffe. The Zoo's other giraffes are female Stella, 7, and Gus, the young male who recently arrived from Texas and will turn two next month. They are off exhibit during Gus's precautionary quarantine period.