© 2026 Western New York Public Broadcasting Association

140 Lower Terrace St.
Buffalo, NY 14202

Toronto Address:
130 Queens Quay E.
Suite 903
Toronto, ON M5A 0P6


Mailing Address:
Horizons Plaza P.O. Box 1263
Buffalo, NY 14240-1263

Buffalo Toronto Public Media | Phone 716-845-7000
BTPM NPR Newsroom | Phone: 716-845-7040
Differing shades of blue wavering throughout the image
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Buffalo Zoo Giraffe Dies

Akili was a 13 year old female giraffe at Buffalo Zoo
Buffalo Zoo Photo
Akili was a 13 year old female giraffe at Buffalo Zoo

By Eileen Buckley

Buffalo, NY – For the second time in three weeks the Buffalo Zoo is reporting the death of one of its animals. A 13-year old female giraffe passed away Wednesday night.

Click the audio player above to hear Eileen Buckley's full story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod.

Zoo keepers found 13-year old Akili on the ground Wednesday morning, unable to stand. They immediately attended to her, but she died by Wednesday night. Zoo president Donna Fernandes tells WBFO News they even tried to raise her up in a sling. But nothing worked and the giraffe died.

Test results to determine the exact cause of death could take several weeks. Unlike Buki, the female elephant who died the last week of September from complications due to old age, the giraffe appeared to be in good health Wednesday.