The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore is saddened to announce the death of Gretchen, the 22-year-old giraffe who was a long time favorite among staff and guests. Gretchen was euthanized Saturday, May 24 at the Zoo.

“This is a big loss for the Maryland Zoo and our community,” stated Don Hutchinson, President/CEO of the Maryland Zoo. “Gretchen will be missed by all of us, including the families and children who grew up with her and have visited her over the past two decades.”

Gretchen was a very popular resident of the Zoo for 21 years. She arrived from the Denver Zoo in 1987, as a one-year-old. She had abnormal hoof conformation at a very young age – her front hooves rotated slightly inward, instead of growing straight. Keepers initially trained her to voluntarily stand still and tolerate hoof trims, which allowed initial corrective trimming. In 2003, a Giraffe Restraint Device (GRD) was installed in the Giraffe House, which allowed staff more access to all the giraffes for medical exams and treatment. It was especially useful for treating Gretchen, and enabled staff to lift her feet for more extensive hoof trims.

“Gretchen was always the most easygoing giraffe and she was very interested in training, which helped her keepers take such good care of her,” commented Rebecca Gullott, mammal collection and conservation manager. “Because of the dedication and talents of the Zoo’s animal care staff, and with the help of the GRD, Gretchen’s hoof conformation abnormalities and resulting arthritis had been successfully managed through corrective hoof trimming and medical treatments. Thousands of hours of specialized care made it possible for Gretchen to enjoy a good quality of life for several years beyond what would have otherwise been possible.”

“Over the past few weeks, Gretchen’s progressive arthritis had advanced and she had begun to show some signs of discomfort,” stated Dr. Ellen Bronson, chief veterinarian for the Zoo. “We continued exploring treatments to make her more comfortable, and recently even tried several courses of acupuncture, in addition to many different medication and supplements she had received over the years. Unfortunately her arthritis had just become too advanced.”

Gretchen was estimated at 14 feet in height and 1400 pounds. She could be distinguished by her exceptionally light coloration and very sweet and inquisitive nature. Zoo staff fondly referred to her as “The Lady of The House.”

The Maryland Zoo is home to four other giraffes, females Mary (21) and Mary’s daughters Angel, (14) and Zoe (12), and young male Caesar who will be 2-years-old in August. The Zoo also recently opened the new Giraffe Feeding Station, where visitors can feed the giraffes in a face-to-face close encounter.

For more information, visit www.marylandzoo.org