On January 24, 2023, Giraffe male giraffe at Tama Zoo passed away. Gigi was born at Tama Zoo on September 26, 2020, and was two years old.


Giraffe "Gigi"
(Date of photo: January 13, 2023)

Circumstances leading up to death

Gigi is over two years old, and is a male dog. quarrelIsaka Signs of sexual maturity have begun to appear, such as an increase in the number of fetuses. Our zoo is proceeding with a planned castration of males, and it was necessary to perform the procedure on Gigi this fiscal year. Therefore, we have been keeping him in isolation since January 11th, and the entire zoo has been carefully preparing for the procedure based on our past experience.

On the day of the castration, Gigi appeared calm from the morning, and after being administered anesthetic at 10:00 AM, he collapsed without struggling. Holding his head to secure his airway, which is necessary when anesthetizing giraffes with long Giraffe, went smoothly, but then he suddenly stopped breathing, so we stopped continuing the anesthesia and immediately moved on to cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We continued using a ventilator, chest compressions, massage, and medication for about 40 minutes, but his breathing did not return, and sadly, we confirmed his death at 11:00 AM.

An autopsy was performed promptly after death, revealing findings of cardiac hemorrhage and pulmonary congestion, suggesting that the cause of death was circulatory failure. Further detailed investigations, including histopathological examination, will be conducted at the university.

Regarding the control of Giraffe breeding (castration) at our zoo

Giraffe in Japan are being bred according to the population management plan of Japanese Association of Zoos and Aquariums of Zoos and Aquariums, and have so far been successful in breeding. However, in order to avoid unnecessary fighting within the limited space of Giraffe zoos in Japan, and to systematically maintain a healthy Giraffe herd free from genetic bias for the future, breeding restrictions are necessary.

There are two main methods of controlling reproduction: separating males from females and keeping them in solitary confinement, and surgical sterilization. Zoos and aquariums overseas, such as in the United States, have also recognized that sterilizing and returning the animals to groups is more effective in maintaining the animals' quality of life (QOL) than increasing the number of individuals kept in solitary confinement, and have implemented sterilization as an important method of reproduction control in population management plans.

At our zoo, in order to ensure animal welfare and species conservation, we plan to continue neutering males, including keeping them in solitary enclosures where they can interact with the group, and transferring them to other zoos. However, in light of the death of this particular individual, we will investigate the cause of death and the factors that led to it, and then consider and implement measures throughout the zoo to ensure that the procedure is safer for the individual.

We are deeply saddened to have to deliver this news, and we ask for your understanding.

Following Gigi's death, the number of Giraffe we keep at the zoo has decreased to 16 (9 males and 7 females).

◎Related News
・ Giraffe was born! Its mother is named "Yulia". (October 5, 2020)
・ The long preparation process leading up to Giraffe giving birth (December 11, 2020)

(January 27, 2023)