Rosie the giraffe, a "gentle, friendly" animal who at 40 was possibly the oldest giraffe in captivity, was euthanized Tuesday at the San Antonio Zoo because her health was deteriorating.
Rosie, born in Africa in 1955, came to the San Antonio Zoo in 1961 and became a favorite with zoo visitors and workers.In recent months the giraffe's became thinner and less active. Her appetite waned, even though her keepers tried to feed her treats, such as applesauce, by hand, zoo officials said.
"We could wait until she is in the obvious throes of pain, but we don't want to wait that long," general curator Russell Smith said Sunday.
Local zoo officials think Rosie was the oldest captive giraffe in the world. She bore dozens of calves.
"Her keepers will remember her as a gentle and friendly animal that they will miss," the zoo's statement said.