ERIE (AP) – A 14-year-old reticulated giraffe has died at a northwestern Pennsylvania zoo.
Erie Zoo officials tell the Erie Times-News that a veterinarian euthanized Mitch on Monday afternoon.
The giraffe had been experiencing leg and foot problems for more than a year. The zoo says Mitch failed to get up for hours Monday and had to be euthanized. A necropsy is planned.
Executive Director Scott Mitchell says Mitch had to be bottle fed as a baby. He also had trouble regulating his body temperature and had a condition that caused his color to lighten.
Mitchell says he’s not sure whether the zoo will acquire another giraffe. Staff members are monitoring 6-year-old Nigel, the zoo’s other giraffe.
