News Release — (Dallas Zoo) — HEARTBROKEN: We are devastated to share the tragic loss of our beloved giraffe calf, Kipenzi. This evening as the giraffe herd was shifting inside for the night, Kipenzi began scampering around, as she loved to do. She made a sharp turn, and ran into the perimeter edge of the habitat. She broke three vertebra in her neck, and passed away immediately. Her mother, Katie, visited Kipenzi before veterinarians removed her.
Our hearts are broken. Please keep the entire Dallas Zoo family in your thoughts. While she was only here for a few months, Kipenzi was a beacon of light for her species and for the millions who watched her birth live on Animal Planet. Her stardom brought attention to the plight of wild giraffes in Africa, helped raise more than $35,000 for giraffe conservation and sparked conversations about her incredibly majestic species. Kipenzi will always remain in our hearts, and while tears are flowing freely here tonight, we are eternally grateful for the millions of smiles she gave us all.
Given the outpouring of love for Kipenzi since her birth, we encourage fans to post photos of Kipenzi or leave messages of support for staff on our Facebook and Instagram pages. For those interested in donating in Kipenzi’s memory, we recommend The Giraffe Conservation Foundation, our partner at the forefront of protecting giraffes in Africa. Visit www.giraffeconservation.org to make a donation.
