Auckland Zoo's elderly male giraffe Zabulu has had to be euthanised.
The Zoo says the much loved giraffe had been unwell for a week and his condition rapidly deteriorated yesterday.
Despite great effort, the zoo says Zabulu's quality of life could not be maintained, making euthanasia the kindest, and only option.
It says the 19 year old was an iconic and gentle giant who fathered 15 giraffe calves and won thousands of zoo visitors' hearts, one carrot or piece of celery at a time.
