'Heartbroken': LI Game Farm's Beloved Giraffe, Bobo, Dies Suddenly

MANORVILLE, NY — The staff at the Long Island Game Farm in Manorville was devastated to learn that Bobo, a beloved giraffe who lived at the facility, died suddenly on Monday.

"Long Island Game Farm is sad to announce the sudden passing of their beloved giraffe, Bobo," a release said. "Bobo passed away unexpectedly on the morning of October 2 from heart failure, according to the game farm’s veterinarian, Dr. Benjamin Haar. The three-year-old giraffe had been under routine care for parasites, which is common in giraffes. A necropsy examination is being coordinated, and results may take several months. "

Long Island Game Farm President Melinda Novak added: "We are so heartbroken. We loved Bobo beyond measure, and he was such a fixture at the park. We had been working hard to create a permanent home for him here. Bobo will be missed terribly."

"Bobo was such an important member of our zoo family," game farm director Greg Drossel said. "His presence created so many lasting memories, not only for the staff, but for all the visitors he touched with his gentle nature."

More information will be shared in the coming months when necropsy results are finalized, the Long Island Game Farm said.

Bobo's death came soon after he was the star at a recent fundraiser meant to facilitate the creation of a year-round giraffe house.

A "Bon Voyage" party was held in September for the popular member of the Long Island Game Farm family, who was slated to leave for the cold winter months and head to a warmer climate.

But the plan was that Bobo the Giraffe would be back soon, and able to live year-round at the farm.

The fundraising event at the Long Island Game Farm was presented by the Foundation for Wildlife Sustainability, Inc., the game farm's new non-profit arm.

Funds from the event were garnered to support the construction of a heated and air-conditioned giraffe house large enough to accommodate two giraffes, and offer year-round public programming to raise awareness of the endangered species.

"It has long been a dream of ours to host giraffes year-round at the Long Island Game Farm," Novak said. "To further our goal of connecting people to wildlife, a year round giraffe house will allow us space to keep two giraffes comfortably and present programming that will educate the public on these gentle giants, which are also an endangered species. Bobo the Giraffe is one of our most popular residents in the summer months, and we hope his loyal fans will join us in sending him off for the season to warmer climates in South Carolina. Perhaps next year, he will be a permanent resident of the game farm."

Sadly now, that day will not come for Bobo; his death leaves hearts broken across Long Island amongst his many fans, young and old.

The Long Island Game Farm is also a supporter of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation’s efforts to secure a future for all giraffe populations in the wild; the game farm also donated a portion of ticket sales that week to the nonprofit organization, organizers of the event said.