CLEVELAND — One of the most beloved giraffes at Cleveland Metroparks Zoo has passed away.
On Thursday, the zoo announced on its Facebook page that Jhasmin, who had been part of the giraffe herd in Cleveland since her birth in 2005, has died. She was 17.5 years old. The zoo called Jhasmine "an incredible ambassador to her species" of Masai giraffe.
According to the zoo, Jhasmin was Cleveland's first giraffe to be trained for voluntary hoof x-rays. "She was also an important member of the Association for Zoos & Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan for giraffe as she was a mother of three calves and grandparent of two," zoo officials noted.
Cleveland Metroparks Zoo says Jhasmin was one of the oldest female giraffes in the AZA population at 17.5 years old. "Unfortunately, she had a rapid decline in physical health and mobility over the past few weeks," the zoo added.
The zoo says several of its- staff members "have known and cared for Jhasmin her entire life," adding that "she will be missed by all."
