OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has announced the death of a one of its two male giraffes.
The zoo said Tuesday that Sam the giraffe was euthanized because of a degenerative joint disease that had progressed after several years of treatment.
Sam's condition was being tracked through X-rays, as well as behavioral and other indicators, the zoo says, and "concern for the animal's welfare required humane euthanasia."
The 17-year-old giraffe was born in 2001 at the zoo.
There is now one male and nine female giraffes at the zoo.