Daisy, Como Zoo's oldest giraffe, dies at 23

Daisy, the oldest living giraffe at St. Paul's Como Zoo, has died.

She was euthanized Thursday after zoo officials said her severe degenerative arthritis "affected her mobility, her ability to rest, and that she was in pain."

"Daisy was a strong, beautiful matriarch — quick to judge and slow to accept her human co-workers," said senior zookeeper Jill Erzar. "She was an extraordinary ambassador for giraffes, helping us connect visitors to her wild counterparts by telling her story."

Daisy, who was 23, had been a crowd favorite at Como since her arrival from the San Diego Wild Animal Park in October 2002 as part of the Species Survival Plan (SSP), a breeding and transfer program to ensure the survival of selected threatened and endangered species.

She gave birth to eight calves during her 20 years at Como. Many of her offspring are now living at other zoos across the country, Como officials said.

But in recent months, the arthritis took its toll on the large herbivore who spends 20 hours a day on her feet, affecting her mobility and ability to rest. Despite Como's animal care and veterinary staff crafting a pain management program, Daisy's quality of life had steadily declined to a point that the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize her, zoo officials said in a statement.

"The entire Giraffe SSP shares Como's heartbreak over this sad event," said Amy Schilz, Giraffe Species Survival Plan coordinator. "Como Zoo has provided excellent care and welfare for Daisy that has allowed her to live a long life. At 23 years old, she has far surpassed the life expectancy of female giraffes in the Species Survival Program."

Como's giraffe herd now consists of female Clover and male Skeeter.