NJ Turtle Back Zoo’s Beloved Giraffe Dies; Exhibited ‘Strange Behavior,’ Staff Says

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — One of the Turtle Back Zoo’s beloved giraffes died from complications during a medical procedure on Wednesday, county officials say.

Along with two other giraffes, Hodari, an 18-foot tall Masai giraffe, was one of the zoo’s star attractions since the Essex County facility’s $7 million giraffe exhibit opened in May 2016.

Essex County officials released a statement about the medical procedure that allegedly led to Hodari’s death on Wednesday evening:

“The procedure became necessary when zoo staff observed the 11-year-old Hodari exhibiting strange behavior. During a visual inspection, Turtle Back's veterinarian Dr. Jon Bergmann noticed something was wrong with the teeth in the back of the giraffe's mouth. About three weeks ago, Hodari was put under anesthesia so the veterinarian and a dental specialist could get a better look at the problem. Hodari awoke from the first exam without any negative effects. However, when he was placed under anesthesia the second time so the procedure could be done, he experienced complications.”

The exact cause of death will be determined from a necropsy, but the results will not be known for about a month, county officials said.

• See related article: Turtle Back Zoo Opens $7M Giraffe Exhibit In West Orange

"We observed that Hodari was having difficulty eating and decided performing the procedure would prevent further complications from occurring in the future," Bergmann said. "We believed this would give Hodari a better quality of life, improve his overall health and allow him to continue to thrive at Turtle Back Zoo. We knew there were risks when putting an animal of Hodari's size under anesthesia, but we also knew repairing his teeth would be more beneficial for him.”

Hodari was one of four Masai giraffes who came to Turtle Back Zoo in December 2015 as part of the new three-acre Giraffe House in the African Adventure area. Hodari came from South Carolina; the other three giraffes came from Florida and San Diego, county officials said.

"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Hodari,” Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo Jr. said. “On behalf of Turtle Back's staff, we cannot express how great this loss is. The Giraffe Exhibit quickly became Turtle Back Zoo's most popular attraction, and it was because of Hodari. He was the giraffe that was most comfortable being fed by the public, so our visitors became acquainted with him the most.”

• See related article: Turtle Back Zoo's Giraffes 'Doing Well'
• See related article: Giraffes Arrive At Turtle Back Zoo In West Orange

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Photo: Essex County