BATTLE CREEK, MI (WKZO AM/FM) — Tuesday, officials with Binder Park Zoo (BPZ) reported the death of Makena, a female reticulated giraffe.
Makena, or “Mak,” was 21 years old, and the third oldest of the seven giraffes living at the zoo, according to officials. She had been off exhibit most of the 2020 season after undergoing a series of procedures performed under anesthesia.
Those procedures included stem cell therapy to treat arthritis in both front legs, a complete dental check and hoof trim in May 2020.
“Subsequent weekly laser therapy, systemic anti-inflammatories and a period of recovery improved her condition significantly, and we felt that Mak was on track to rejoin the herd on the savanna in the spring of 2021” BPZ veterinarian Dr. Kim Thompson said in a statement.
The estimated lifespan of a giraffe is 15-25 years in the wild, and even longer in captivity.
Officials say Mak was euthanized on Thursday, January 21 following a fall inside the giraffe barn. Camera footage revealed an accidental interaction with another giraffe that caused her to trip and fall. The other giraffe was not injured.
In addition, officials say Makena was almost 18 feet tall and weighed 1800 pounds, and a giraffe can sometimes sustain fatal injuries from a fall because of their significant height and weight.
Makena was born August 17, 1999 at the Columbus Zoo and arrived at BPZ in April, 2005. During her years at BPZ, Makena birthed four calves; a male named Uti in 2009, now at the Columbus Zoo, Mkia Jibini, a female in 2012 now at the Sedgewick Zoo, male Hulka living at Binder Park Zoo, and Kijana, a female born in 2017 who transferred to Mesker Park Zoo in November 2020.
Makena, a reticulated giraffe at the Binder Park Zoo, passed away on January 21, 2021. (Photo courtesy of the Binder Park Zoo).
Officials say Makena was the “clear matriarch of the heard,” with a “friendly, easy-going personality,” with some zoo staff referring to her as “Mama.” Officials say that during each morning of the zoo season, she would lead the other giraffe to the savanna lured by keepers with leaf-eater biscuits or browse. Officials add those were her two favorite snacks.
Heather Kuikstra is a member of the keeper staff who worked with and cared for Makena for six years.
“At 21 years old, Makena was still a smart and spunky girl who was a voluntary participant in her own medical care for things like ultrasounds, blood draws, and routine hoof care.” Kuikstra said in a statement. “She was curious, and highly motivated to interact with her keepers, especially if it would result in her getting some snacks; she had a special look that she would give keepers and no one could resist giving her the treat she wanted. ‘Mama’ already is, and will be, greatly missed.”
Officials further add that Makena was a favorite at Twiga Overlook, where guests could feed lettuce snacks to her and the other giraffes.
Binder Park Zoo began participating in the Giraffe Species Survival Plan (SSP) through the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) more than twenty years ago with the opening of the Wild Africa exhibit.
Zoo officials also provided more information about the reticulated giraffe species itself, which can be viewed below:
Reticulated giraffe are listed as a vulnerable species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List, a system that classifies species at high risk of global extinction.
According to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation (GCF), giraffe numbers have declined by almost 30% in just over three decades to approximately 111,000 in the wild. The combined impacts of habitat loss fragmentation and degradation, human population growth, poaching, disease, war and civil unrest threaten the remaining giraffe numbers and their distribution throughout Africa.
Readers can find out more about giraffe conservation at www.giraffeconservation.org and may also provide support for Binder Park Zoo’s conservation efforts with a donation, purchase of a zoo membership or animal A.D.O.P.T at www.binderparkzoo.org.
Binder Park Zoo is currently closed to the public. May 1 will be the first day of the 2021 zoo season.
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