A giraffe named Khan, who lived for 25 years in the Almaty zoo, has passed away, reports Tengri Life.
25 years is considered an advanced age for this species of animals, which translates to 95 years in human terms, as stated by the zoo's representatives on their Instagram account. Giraffes in the wild typically have a lifespan that rarely exceeds 20 years.
"Khan arrived in Almaty from South Africa and quickly adapted to the new climate and conditions. His longevity and well-being were made possible by the caring attention of the zoo staff, as well as his robust health, which allowed him to become the father of numerous offspring," the administration of the facility explained.
In Almaty, Khan fathered 12 offspring, many of whom were transferred to other zoos.
"His descendants—giraffe calves named Baty, as well as Khanzada and Sultan—continue to bring joy to the staff and visitors of the Almaty zoo. Other offspring were sent to zoos in Moscow, the Krasnodar region, Shymkent, Tashkent, Fergana, and Aktobe," the administration representatives specified.
It is noted that Khan was known for his friendly nature and became a favorite among both staff and zoo visitors. His amiable disposition and calm temperament made him one of the most popular inhabitants. Despite his age, he continued to delight everyone with his appetite—he happily consumed his diet, with only age-related changes in his joints causing him discomfort. He stood nearly 5 meters tall.
"Khan was active in the evening and completely consumed all the offered feed. He had a slight limp. By morning, Khan lay down, which is unusual for giraffes as they typically do not lie down fully. After all, 25 years is almost like 95 years for a human. Our old man was a favorite among both the zoo staff and visitors. We thank everyone who helped us care for Khan over the years. Khan will remain forever in our hearts," said Balabek Makhato, head of the "hoofed animals" section.
Professor Amangeldy Maulanov, an independent pathologist at KazNAIU, noted that the giraffe was well-fed and showed no signs of infectious or invasive diseases. The cause of death was irreversible age-related changes, biological aging.
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