Abu, Zoo Atlanta's Dominant Giraffe Dies After Bout With Arthritis

ATLANTA — Atlanta’s senior giraffe Abu has died.

The 16-year-old giraffe was the oldest member of the Zoo Atlanta all-male giraffe herd and had been diagnosed with arthritis.

The dominant member of the herd fathered two members of the giraffe family — one that was the first calf to be born at the Zoo — and now is survived by 10-year-olds Etana and Isooba, officials said.

He came to Zoo Atlanta in 2007.

As Abu’s health began to decline recently, the Zoo’s veterinary team began to watch him more closely. Last week Abu received a poor prognosis, and citing concerns for his quality of life, Zoo veterinary doctors made the hard decision to euthanize him last week, Zoo officials said.

“This is a very sad day for Zoo Atlanta,” Sam Rivera, DVM, Senior Director of Animal Health said in a statement. “Abu was very special to so many, both within the Zoo team and among our Members and guests.

“Our Animal Care and Veterinary Teams have worked tirelessly in their efforts to care for Abu, always with his well-being foremost in our minds, and pursued every option available to us in terms of his treatment. We have all appreciated the amazing support of our Zoo Atlanta community, Members and friends for our efforts and for Abu.”

Treatment for Abu’s arthritis dated back to 2020 and included a hoof work procedure performed under general anesthesia and having him fitted with special therapeutic boots last May to slow down the progression of the condition, Zoo officials said. He also was treated with stem cell therapy in an innovative procedure proven to help other species with osteoarthritis, authorities said.

In August the special shoes, which are designed as a short-term treatment, were removed during a second procedure and Abu underwent a second round of stem cell therapy.

Zoo staff and University of Georgia Zoo and Exotic Animal Pathology Service will perform a necrology of Abu’s body at UGA’s College of Veterinary Medicine, Zoo officials said.

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