With great sadness we announce the death of Taharqa, our 15 year old Rothschild hybrid giraffe.
Taharqa, affectionately known as Tarqs, joined us at Folly Farm in 2009 when we first opened Giraffe Heights and has been a popular member of our herd ever since.
Our thoughts at this sad time are with all the Folly Farm keepers who cared for him on a daily basis and for whom his loss is most greatly felt. Also, the wider Folly Farm team and our wonderful visitors who will miss this wonderful character.
Please help us celebrate Taharqa by enjoying these photos our keepers have shared of him and by sharing your own memories and messages of support.
Regular visitors will be aware that Taharqa was suffering from a severe tooth infection for a while and, despite the best efforts of our veterinary partners and our zoo team, routine treatment and medication was unable to resolve it. After much consideration, and due to the location of the affected tooth, it was decided an operation to remove it wasn’t in the best interests for Taharqa’s welfare.
It was a major operation that would likely have affected both sides of the lower jaw, cutting through the cheek muscles, and as such required general anaesthesia which is an extremely high risk procedure for giraffes. Our dental specialist was not hopeful of a successful outcome so our ethics committee, made up of members of our zoo team, management, our veterinary partners and external independent parties took the difficult decision to euthanise Taharqa before his quality of life deteriorated further.
Taharqa, affectionately known as Tarqs, joined us at Folly Farm in 2009 when we first opened Giraffe Heights and has been a popular member of our herd ever since.
Our thoughts at this sad time are with all the Folly Farm keepers who cared for him on a daily basis and for whom his loss is most greatly felt. Also, the wider Folly Farm team and our wonderful visitors who will miss this wonderful character.
Please help us celebrate Taharqa by enjoying these photos our keepers have shared of him and by sharing your own memories and messages of support.
Regular visitors will be aware that Taharqa was suffering from a severe tooth infection for a while and, despite the best efforts of our veterinary partners and our zoo team, routine treatment and medication was unable to resolve it. After much consideration, and due to the location of the affected tooth, it was decided an operation to remove it wasn’t in the best interests for Taharqa’s welfare.
It was a major operation that would likely have affected both sides of the lower jaw, cutting through the cheek muscles, and as such required general anaesthesia which is an extremely high risk procedure for giraffes. Our dental specialist was not hopeful of a successful outcome so our ethics committee, made up of members of our zoo team, management, our veterinary partners and external independent parties took the difficult decision to euthanise Taharqa before his quality of life deteriorated further.
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