DES MOINES, Iowa - Blank Park Zoo in Des Moines says one of its four giraffes has passed away.
It's confirmed that an elderly female giraffe named Samburu, and referred to as Sam, passed away at age 25.
Samburu had been at the Blank Park Zoo for the past 23 years after being born at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo in 1995.
A supervisor at Blank Park says the giraffe loved to interact with zoo guests during feeding time.
“Sam was always excited to interact and train with her keepers,” said Jordan Longtin, assistant supervisor of large mammals at Blank Park Zoo. “She loved to participate in the ‘Feed the Giraffe’ experience with guests and waited by the deck for guests to come and visit her.”
Samburu gave birth to five calves, three male and two female. According to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, a female giraffe has a median life expectancy of 19.4 years.
Giraffes Skye, Zola and Jacobi remain at Blank Park Zoo.
The zoo itself remains closed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
(Image courtesy of Des Moines Blank Park Zoo)