Toronto Zoo’s 13-year-old giraffe dies after being caught in ‘tragic incident’

The Toronto Zoo says Kiko, a 13-year-old Masai giraffe, died after becoming caught in an opening door while being moved within his behind-the-scenes habitat.

The Toronto Zoo is mourning the loss of Kiko, a 13-year-old male Masai giraffe that died following what the zoo describes as a tragic accident.

In a statement Friday, the zoo said Kiko was given access to an additional area of his behind-the-scenes habitat on the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 1.

The zoo said the giraffe, known for his curiosity, began exploring the space and became caught in an opening door, resulting in a “a very tragic and unfortunate incident.”

Masai giraffes have relatively delicate heads supported by a six-foot neck “capable of moving forward, backward, up, down, and side to side, allowing their head position to shift quickly,” the zoo said.

Despite an immediate response from staff, Kiko panicked and sustained injuries that, due to the species’ unique anatomy, proved fatal.

The zoo said the loss is particularly difficult for Kiko’s wildlife care team, noting that shifting giraffes between spaces is a routine practice that has been done “thousands of times without incident.”

In recent months, the zoo said staff had been providing Kiko with specialized behind-the-scenes care for a hoof and foot injury, tailoring his habitat and daily routine to support his recovery.

Kiko’s body has been sent to the University of Guelph for a full post-mortem examination.