Giraffe Dies in Tragic Incident at Toronto Zoo
Incident Date:
01/04/2026
Location:
Toronto, ID - CA
Facility Name:
Toronto Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Giraffe
Animal disposition:
Dead
Summary:
TORONTO, CA – A giraffe born at a South Carolina zoo has died following a “tragic accident,” according to officials. On Thursday, Kiko, a Masai giraffe, was “given access to an additional area of his behind-the-scenes habitat,” officials explained. He then became caught in an opening door.
“Masai giraffes have relatively delicate heads supported by a six-foot neck capable of moving forward, backward, up, down, and side to side, allowing their head position to shift quickly,” the Toronto Zoo explained. “Despite the team’s immediate response, Kiko panicked and sustained injuries that, due to the unique anatomy of his species, proved fatal.”
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