Masai giraffe Kipezeni, who in August 2023 was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the jaw , was euthanized Monday at Seneca Park Zoo, the zoo and Monroe County Executive Adam Bellow announced Tuesday.
“Over the last few days, Kipenzi stopped eating, and her weight dropped by more than 75 pounds in a very short time,” zoo veterinarian Dr. Chris McKinney said in a statement. “From the way she was holding her jaw, it was clear she was in great discomfort, and the time had come to humanely euthanize her.”
Zoo staff first noticed a small enlargement on Kipenzi’s jaw in late spring 2023.
Close monitoring of the growth led to bringing in a team of giraffe veterinarians from across the country last August to help anesthetize Kipenzi for a biopsy.
The biopsy and x-rays showed that the growth was malignant, had invaded the jawbone and was inoperable.
The zoo then began using an antitumor topical treatment on Kipenzi. X-rays were regularly taken, and she was given pain medication to maintain her comfort, McKinney said.
“We knew from diagnosis that her time with us was limited,” he said.
Kipenzi was born at the Toledo Zoo in April 2017 and moved to Seneca Park Zoo in August 2018 in preparation for the opening of the Animals of the Savanna exhibit expansion.
Animals with the same form of cancer as Kipenzi typically survive 10 to 12 months, McKinney said. After 16 months with cancer, Kipenzi was still actively participating in training, giraffe feeds and blood draws until just a few days ago.
Kipenzi’s body was transported to Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine for a necropsy. "A necropsy is always necessary," said zoo superintendent Steve Lacy. "Kipenzi's condition was rare, and learning everything we can about her cancer may inform treatment of hoofstock animals that develop cancer in the future."
As is the case with all zoo mammals that die, Kipenzi's remains will be "respectfully interred at an undisclosed location," a zoo spokesperson said.
Lacy said the other giraffes in the zoo's herd are doing well. “They will likely have a brief period of adjustment, but Iggy, Olmsted, J.D. and Pippy will be out in the habitat and back at giraffe feedings in no time.”
Kipenzi, who was 7, gave birth to two calves while at the zoo. A male born July 12, 2022, was euthanized at 3 weeks old after multiple interventions to correct a congenital abnormality of his left front fetlock joint failed.
Another male, named PJ, was born Dec. 6, 2023. He died suddenly on Feb. 17, 2024 , after appearing to have a seizure. A necropsy at Cornell revealed the cause to be encephalitis, an infection of the tissues around the brain.
Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com . Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood .
This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Giraffe in upstate NY zoo euthanized a year after cancer diagnosis
Most Popular
Comments / 0