The Ellen Trout Zoo in Lufkin shared that Twiga, a Maasai giraffe, died on Friday night after holding the world record as one of the oldest known giraffes in human care.
Twiga was 31 years, 9 months, and 7 days old when she died, according to a post from Lufkin authorities on July 8.
Born in the Los Angeles Zoo on October 1, 1991, Twiga was first housed at the Racine Zoo in Wisconsin before arriving in Lufkin on June 4, 2008.
Since giraffes typically live until the age of 25, Ellen Trout Zoo held birthday celebrations to mark each of Twiga’s milestones.
Facebook users reacted to the news that Twiga died with condolences and sadness.
“Awww…I wouldn’t be surprised if I saw her in LA when I was younger too! How precious! Y’all must have taken such great care of her. I’m so sorry for your loss!” wrote one user.
One father wrote, “My three girls were so sad to hear! Twiga will be missed!”
“Aww my heart is broken. She sure was a Beauty. Rip,” wrote another user.
Gordon Henley, the director of Ellen Trout Zoo, noted in a statement that Twiga “will be greatly missed.”
“Twiga helped our other two giraffes, Kellen and Luna, feel comfortable in their new home in Lufkin,” explained Henley.
Luna arrived in Lufkin from the Phoenix Zoo in Arizona at the age of 10 months last December. Kellen came to the zoo in 2014 as a 1-year-old from Norfolk, Virginia.
Several zoos like Ellen Trout Zoo participate in breeding programs to ensure their survival.
This spring four female baby giraffes were born at the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, as previously covered by The Dallas Express. Maple, Waffles, Goldie, and Frizzy are said to be thriving in the open environment of the wildlife center.
Born 6 feet tall, female giraffes grow to about 14 feet tall, while adult male giraffes stand at 18 feet.
