Colorado zoo reflects on legacy of 17-year-old giraffe after euthanization
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, located in Colorado Springs, is reflecting on the legacy of their 17-year-old giraffe, Khalid, who was humanely euthanized on Friday, Dec. 12.
According to a post from the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, they had exhausted all possible humane treatments for Khalid.
Khalid weighed 2,500 pounds and stood sixteen-and-a-half feet tall. He was the zoo’s only breeding bull since he arrived in June 2010. According to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Khalid fathered seven calves, including 6-year-old Viv and 3-year-old Wednesday, both of whom live at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo. He also became a grandfather when his daughter BB gave birth to Thorn in March 2025 at the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo also noted that since giraffes are critically endangered in the wild, Khalid’s kids are important contributions to the genetic diversity of “the assurance population of giraffe in human care.”
“He was a gentle giant,” said Kacie Meffley, giraffe animal care manager at CMZoo. “He had this huge imposing head and body paired with a surprisingly gentle demeanor. Many people will remember him leaning over the fence into the nursery stall when his babies were born, so he could delicately smell them and lick their heads. He was also gentle with guests, who would save lettuce especially for Khalid when feeding our herd.”
According to Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Khalid’s care knowledge will be shared with other giraffe care professionals in workshops, educational videos, consultations and network through the Giraffe Center. Veterinarians will also perform a necropsy and his hooves will become part of a groundbreaking study on giraffe hoof anatomy to benefit giraffe in human care and in the wild.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoo also said that it is committed to continuing to grow and diversify the population of giraffe in human care, so it will welcome another breeding bull to the Zoo as soon as possible.
Per the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo website, there are 15 giraffe’s in the spot’s herd, with the zoo known for its hands-on giraffe feeding experience.
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