Hamilton Zoo has confirmed that Masamba, a 23-year-old giraffe, was euthanised after a period of declining health.
The zoo said the decision was made on Friday after determining that his condition could not be improved.
Masamba had turned 23 earlier this month, an age considered very old for a giraffe, and zoo staff had previously noted he was slowing down.
His death comes a day after Auckland Zoo announced the euthanasia of Ōrua, a 20-year-old subantarctic fur seal, citing age-related health issues and deteriorating habitat conditions that no longer met his welfare needs.
