Giraffe at Seneca Park Zoo euthanized after fighting jaw cancer

Rochester, New York – Kipenzi, a Masai giraffe at the Seneca Park Zoo, passed away over a year after her cancer diagnosis.

The zoo declared on Tuesday that Kipenzi, who had been coping with squamous cell cancer in her jaw for 16 months, would be put to death on Monday.

“Over the last few days, Kipenzi stopped eating, and her weight dropped by more than 75 pounds in a very short time,” Dr. Chris McKinney, the zoo’s veterinarian, said in a statement. “From the way she was holding her jaw, it was clear she was in great discomfort, and the time had come to humanely euthanize her.”

In April 2017, Kipenzi was born at the Toledo Zoo, and in August 2018, the family relocated to Rochester.

A tumor on her jaw was discovered by staff personnel last spring. August saw her receive a cancer diagnosis following a high-risk biopsy.

According to the zoo, animals with the same disease usually live for 10 to 12 months, but up until a few days ago, Kipenzi was still actively taking part in training, feeding the giraffes, and blood draws.

“From the time of diagnosis, Kipenzi was treated with an antitumor topical treatment. X-rays were regularly taken and she received medications to maintain her comfort and ensure she was not in any pain,” McKinney said in a statement. “We knew from diagnosis that her time with us was limited. It is a testament to the training Kipenzi received from Animal Care and Animal Health staff that she allowed us to provide her with this care, even at times allowing us to see her teeth.”

Following Kipenzi’s diagnosis, the zoo declared her pregnancy public in November. Her calf, Parker Jr. (“PJ”), passed away in February, almost a year after his father, also named Parker, passed away in December of the previous year.

In July 2022, Kipenzi gave birth to a calf earlier, but the calf’s “congenital abnormality” resulted in its euthanasia because it was not getting better.

A week after Kipenzi gave birth to PJ, Iggy, the other female Masai giraffe at the zoo, gave birth to Pippi, a calf who was also fathered by Parker.

“The other giraffes in the tower are doing well,” Seneca Park Zoo Superintendent Steve Lacy said in a statement. “They will likely have a brief period of adjustment, but Iggy, Olmsted, J.D., and Pippy will be out in the habitat and back at giraffe feedings in no time.”