Cheyenne Mountain Zoo transitions giraffe to hospice care - Colorado Springs Gazette

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo has transitioned one of its elderly giraffes into hospice care. 

Mahali, a 20-year-old giraffe, has already lived four years beyond the species' life expectancy. In recent weeks, the elderly giraffe has shown signs of reduced mobility and range of motion leading to the zoo's decision to stop medical intervention. 

"We're taking into consideration his quality of life for his remaining time with us," said Amy Schilz, senior animal behaviorist at the zoo.

"He still has more good days than bad days, so — like much of our work — our decision to place him on hospice care is based on finding the right balance for him."

Mahali has benefitted from intense medical procedures with a veterinary team going to "great lengths" for him in the past, according to the zoo. For years, Mahali voluntarily participated in training for hoof care, receiving orthopedic shoes for his hooves.

In 2017 and 2020, Mahali went under anesthesia to receive simultaneous treatment for reoccurring issues on his feet and legs. 

"Those risky, meticulously planned procedures successfully helped him heal and return to a good quality of life," Schilz said. 

It's not an uncommon practice for zoos to place senior animals under hospice, during which drastic medical measures and intervention are discontinued, Schilz. 

The zoo's 16-year-old lion Lomela, and 47-year-old western lowland gorilla Roxie, are under a similar care plan. 

Schilz, who has worked with Mahali for the past 10 years, cares for the giraffe along with a four-person full-time veterinary team, a two-person team of giraffe training and care experts and a five-person animal keeper team. 

"Part of the honor of working with incredible animals, like Mahali, is getting to know them as individuals. We want to see Mahali finding areas to stand and rest more comfortably, interacting with the herd, walking, eating, sleeping, lying down and getting up safely," Schilz said. 

For more information on Mahali and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, click or tap here.