At a Glance
- Kiko, a Masai giraffe, died after being caught in a door opening at Toronto Zoo.
- He was the first giraffe born at Greenville Zoo in 2012 before moving to Toronto.
- An investigation has begun; the zoo will release findings after completion.
- Why it matters: The loss of an endangered species highlights safety concerns and impacts breeding programs.
A tragic accident at the Toronto Zoo claimed the life of Kiko, a Masai giraffe who was born in 2012 at Greenville Zoo before relocating to Canada. The giraffe died after becoming trapped in a door opening during routine habitat access. Authorities have launched an investigation and pledged to share results.
The Accident
Kiko was given access to a new area of his behind-the-scenes habitat Thursday. While moving forward, he became caught in an opening door. The team responded immediately, but he panicked and sustained injuries that proved fatal due to his species’ delicate anatomy.
The Toronto Zoo explained that Masai giraffes have long necks and heads that can move in many directions, allowing quick shifts. This unique anatomy contributed to the fatal outcome.
- Special care for hoof/foot injury required a tailored habitat and daily routine.
- Kiko had sired two calves; a third is due early this year.
- He was selected to mate with Mstari, who is in late pregnancy.
Zoo Response
The Toronto Zoo said Friday that, as an accredited institution, it will share findings once the full investigation concludes. The zoo emphasized learning from the tragedy to prevent future incidents.
Toronto Zoo said Friday:
> “While this appears to be a very tragic and unfortunate incident, as an accredited zoo, we will share the findings once the full investigation has concluded,”
Toronto Zoo also said:
> “We are committed to learning from this tragedy and sharing any findings with our broader community, and we are determined to learn from this tragedy to prevent anything like it from occurring again.”
The zoo said it is focusing on supporting staff and Mstari, who is in late pregnancy, and asked people to keep staff and volunteers in thoughts.
| Item | Detail | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Birth | 2012 at Greenville Zoo | – |
| Transfer | Toronto Zoo, Canada | – |
| Species | Masai giraffe | – |
| Accident | Thursday, door trap | Ongoing |
| Investigation | Ongoing, findings to be shared | – |
The incident underscores the challenges of caring for endangered species and the importance of safety protocols.
Key Takeaways
- Kiko, the first giraffe born at Greenville Zoo, died after a door accident at Toronto Zoo.
- An investigation is underway; the zoo will release findings once concluded.
- The event highlights safety concerns for endangered species and impacts breeding programs.
The Toronto Zoo continues to support its staff and Mstari while working to prevent similar tragedies.
