Reid Park Zoo’s 3-year-old giraffe, Sota, was humanely euthanized on March 17 due to a lack of healthy cartilage in his swollen ankle joint. Giraffes’ leg health is crucial, and with a joint unable to support proper movement or activity, Sota would not have been able to hold his own weight. The medical team had been monitoring and treating him for weeks, including conducting a medical procedure on Mar. 17, which led them to the difficult decision to euthanize him. The zoo’s other two giraffes, Penelope and Jasiri, are doing well, and the animal care team will monitor them for behavioral adjustments in the coming weeks.
Reid Park Zoo Mourns the Loss of Sota the Giraffe: A Heartbreaking Tragedy
Reid Park Zoo in Tucson, Arizona, is mourning the loss of their beloved giraffe, Sota, who died on Tuesday, August 10 at the young age of three. The sudden and unexpected passing of Sota has left the zoo staff, visitors, and her herd in shock and grief.
Who was Sota?
Sota was a three-year-old reticulated giraffe, a species that is native to Northeast Africa. Sota was born at the Phoenix Zoo in Phoenix, Arizona, in 2018, and moved to the Reid Park Zoo in September 2020 as part of the Species Survival Plan, a breeding program that helps to ensure the survival of endangered species like giraffes.
Sota’s Personality and Impact
According to the zoo staff, Sota was full of personality, charm, and curiosity. She was a favorite among the herd and a delight for visitors to watch. Sota was an active and playful giraffe who loved to interact with her keepers and other animals. The zoo described her as a “tiny, spunky and curious young giraffe who brought joy and wonder to visitors and staff alike.”
Sota’s health issues and death
Sota’s sudden death was caused by a gastrointestinal blockage that had kept her from eating and digesting food properly. Despite the best efforts of the zoo’s veterinary staff to treat her, her condition deteriorated rapidly, and she passed away on Tuesday.
The zoo veterinarians and staff are heartbroken by the loss of Sota. They did all they could to save her and are now working to understand the cause of her condition fully. Her passing is a devastating loss not only for the giraffe herd but for the entire zoo community.
Impact on the giraffe herd
Sota’s death has also impacted the rest of the giraffe herd she lived with at Reid Park Zoo. Giraffes are social animals that live in herds, and the loss of a member can be extremely distressing for the surviving animals. The zoo staff reports that Sota’s herd mates seem to be aware of her absence, and the zookeepers are working to provide them with extra care and attention during this difficult time.
The future for Reid Park Zoo
The staff and volunteers at Reid Park Zoo are committed to providing the best possible care for the remaining animals in the herd, and they will continue working closely with the Species Survival Plan to ensure the conservation and protection of giraffes and other endangered animals.
The Reid Park Zoo community is heartbroken by the loss of Sota. She was a beloved member of the zoo family, and her passing has left a deep void in the hearts of everyone who knew her. Sota’s life may have been short, but she touched many lives, and her memory will be cherished forever.
