Beloved Giraffe Dies At West Michigan Zoo

KENT COUNTY, MI — Officials at a Michigan zoo in Kent County are heartbroken after the death of a beloved 13-year-old giraffe.

Tucker died soon after zoo officials at the Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park found unresponsive Monday, officials said.

Kent County veterinarians conducted a necropsy and determined Tucker died from heart failure, officials said.

"Giraffes are noted for having the highest blood pressure of any animal species and the findings from the autopsy indicated Tucker had died from an acute onset of heart failure," officials said. "This was a complete shock to all of us as he showed no signs of having any issues."

Officials said Tucker was born on Dec. 1, 2009, and was a beloved and very popular resident in the zoo.

"Tucker will be remembered as the "big guy" with the defining cross pattern on his neck and with the long black tongue who would gently snag a lettuce leaf from the hands of anyone within reach. He brought joy to so many people and will be greatly missed by all," officials said.

The Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park is located on 80 acres near Alto, about 25 miles southeast of Grand Rapids.