NEW Zoo giraffe takes ill, dies over weekend

Posted at 11:40 a.m. on August 26, 2019

The Brillion News

SUAMICO – One of two giraffes at the NEW Zoo in northwest Brown County took sick and died over the weekend.

“It is with heavy hearts we bring you this sad news today,” zoo operations manager Patricia Jelen said on Monday, August 26. “Hodari, our beloved male giraffe passed away yesterday.”

Jelen said that the giraffe had been monitored closely recently, as he’d been showing some signs of not feeling well,

“Despite our veterinarian and keeper staff’s absolute best efforts to save him, he declined rapidly over the weekend and passed away Sunday, early afternoon,” she said. “His companion, Zuri, was able to spend time with him to say goodbye.  The Giraffe Feeding Experience will be closed today, Monday, to allow her some time adjust, but she seems to be dealing well so far, and feedings will resume [Tuesday].”

The attached photo shows a child feeding Hodari at the NEW Zoo.