FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (Sept. 13, 2007)

 
October 9, 1973 - September 11, 2007

Hildy, the oldest known giraffe in the world, passed away September 11, 2007 at the Dallas Zoo. She was born in Dallas on Oct. 9, 1973 and was beloved by the staff, volunteers, and zoo visitors.

Hildy had been in relatively good health for a giraffe her age and received much attention from the Zoo veterinarians, mammal curators, and zookeepers. Rubber mats in the giraffe barn were added to help the mild arthritis in her knees.

The reticulated giraffe stood 14-feet-tall and she weighed a little more than 1,500 pounds.

Her keepers described Hildy as having a “very sweet disposition.” She was especially fond of apples and rain showers.

She was the mother to Kibo, age 19.