Hamilton Zoo staff are “devastated” after their 19-year-old giraffe Ndale died on Thursday following an accidental fall after a general check-up procedure.
Ndale was placed under anaesthesia on Wednesday to undergo health procedures including dental treatment.
Head veterinarian Richard Sim said Ndale was a "geriatric giraffe, trained to allow keepers to get blood samples".
"Based on the initial assessment from these blood samples it showed he was in a good condition to undertake the procedure."
The team was "really happy" with how the procedure went as several health concerns were able to be fixed, Sim said.
"Anaesthesia in such a tall, big animal is never without risk, but he was moving around and acting normal by the end of the day."
However, on Thursday morning, Ndale was found on the ground and "unable to stand".
Sim said the zoo team responded quickly to support Ndale, make him more comfortable and eventually got him on his feet.
"With signs of weakness, he later collapsed, stopped breathing and passed away."
Ndale had been at Hamilton Zoo since he was one year old, and Hamilton Zoo said in a statement that he would be dearly missed by all, including his herd mates Masamba and Dume.
Team leader Eddie Cheadle said that the team was "devastated" and "in a bit of shock".
"Ndale was many of the keepers’ favourite as he was such a chilled-out giraffe who was friendlier than most.
"Whether through spending time training him for behaviours or simply enjoying small moments with him during the day, he has impacted many of us and will be sorely missed."
A Sumatran tiger cub was euthanised at Auckland Zoo last month following a head injury sustained in a fall.
Auckland Zoo director Kevin Buley said that the news was "hugely upsetting" for everyone connected with the zoo.
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