‘Beloved’ eight-year-old giraffe Jenga dies at Greater Vancouver Zoo

The Greater Vancouver Zoo is mourning the death of one of its iconic animals after Jenga the giraffe was found dead in his barn on Wednesday.

The zoo said in a statement that the eight-year-old male was found “peacefully resting in his barn stall” moments after having a meal on Wednesday.

“Jenga has left us far too soon,” said Menita Prasad, director of Animal Care at the zoo, noting in a statement that Jenga was known for his “bold” and “curious” personality and eagerness to interact with staff and surroundings.

“His presence brought joy to our staff and visitors alike, and his loss is being deeply felt across our zoo community.”

Prasad said in the statement that the zoo is still awaiting the results of a necropsy while other giraffes at the zoo “continue to display normal, healthy behaviour.”

The Greater Vancouver Zoo lists two other giraffes at the facility: Jagar, a six-year-old male and Milo, a four-year-old male.

The Giraffe Conservation Foundation said the animals can live up to about 25 years in the wild and potentially longer in captivity.

The zoo had previously lost three giraffes in the span of about a year when two animals died in November 2011 and another in November 2012.

Prasad said in the statement that the Greater Vancouver Zoo was recently inspected and received accreditation renewal from Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums, and it will continue its mission “to safeguard the future” of giraffes.

“Jenga was not only a cherished member of our zoo but also a beacon of hope in our efforts to educate and inspire the public about giraffe conservation,” the statement said.

“His loss is profound, but it strengthens our resolve to continue advocating for the protection of giraffes in the wild.”

The provincial SPCA in British Columbia said in a written response that while there will likely be an investigation into the case, the agency is unable to comment until that process is complete.

According to the zoo, Jenga was born in 2016 at the Africa Lion Safari in Ontario and brought to British Columbia in 2018.

The animal belonged to a subspecies native to South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda that had only 1,671 in existence in the wild as of 2018 because of habitat encroachment and poaching.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2024.

Chuck Chiang, The Canadian Press