Photos: Oldest giraffe at Reid Park Zoo dies at age 32
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Rick Wiley
Photo editor
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Denver, the oldest giraffe in Reid Park Zoo history, was humanely euthanized on Thursday, September 23 due to declining health. At 32-years-old, Denver was the second oldest giraffe in her Species Survival Plan. The normal life expectancy is for the species is 20 years.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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Scott Barton, Reid Park zoo curator, feeds Denver the giraffe in 2004.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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Eight year-old Kieanna Smith is a bit surprised when 17 year-old female giraffe "Denver" uses Smith's head as a brace to reach for some kale at the giraffe feeding station at Reid Park Zoo in 2006.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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Shawn Giblin feeds 17 year-old female giraffe "Denver" as his daughter helps out at the giraffe feeding station at Reid Park Zoo in 2006.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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Students from Academy del Sol Charter School feed carrots to Denver the giraffe at the Reid Park Zoo on Feb. 1, 2019. Denver turned 30-years-old, a milestone for giraffes, whose normal life expectancy is 25 years. She's a few months younger than the oldest giraffe in the nation, according to the zoo. What's her secret? She eats well and watches her weight. Her mom lived to age 32.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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Denver the giraffe at the Reid Park Zoo on Feb. 1, 2019.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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Zookeeper Karen Toca places a blended yam frozen "popsicle" treat as Denver, a female reticulated giraffe, looks on as zookeepers keep the Reid Park Zoo's animals cool in the summer temperatures on June 25, 2016.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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"Maggie", the new baby giraffe at the Reid Park Zoo, gets a tender lick from her mother, Denver, during the morning hours of her first day out in the exhibit since her birth in 1998.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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"Tommi," the newest addition to the giraffe herd in 2000, seen here with two of the adults (her mom, Denver, is right behind her) She was born July 5, (6ft., 162 lbs.) shortly after the zoo opened, the 8th offspring in the last 6 years. She's named in honor of Dr. Thomas Miller, Reid Park zoo veterinarian, who passed away May 21, 2000. This is Denver's 4th offspring, after a 15 month pregnancy.
Danver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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Denver, a reticulated giraffe at the Reid Park Zoo, curiously pokes her head through a chute in 2002.
Denver, giraffe, Reid Park Zoo
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Scott Barton (left), general curator for the Reid Park Zoo, watches as Camille Sanders, 22, months, feeds a biscuit to Denver the giraffe in 2004.
Rick Wiley
Photo editor
As featured on
Reid Park Zoo giraffe Denver was euthanized at age 32, exceeding her median life expectancy by 12 years.
