New Jersey

New Jersey Zoo Mourns Death of ‘Aziza,' Its 1st Female Giraffe

New Jersey Zoo Mourns Death of Its 1st Female Giraffe

The first female giraffe who took up residency at New Jersey's Cape May County zoo has died.

Zoo officials told The Press of Atlantic City that Aziza recently died of cardiac arrest after living at the zoo in Cape May Court House for almost 20 years.

“Aziza was an icon at the zoo and during her 20 years she brought joy to the hearts of not only the staff but to the millions of visitors who made a special effort to see her and her calves,” Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, liaison to the park and zoo, told the paper.

A necropsy found the giraffe had a degenerative heart condition.

Aziza first arrived at the South Jersey zoo as a 6-month-old calf in 1995. Over the years, she gave birth to three calves of her own, including one born in March.

At the time the birth occurred, zoo officials said they were concerned about Aziza's health, but the delivery went well and Mae was healthy.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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