Yuvaraja, Mysuru zoo’s oldest giraffe, dies at 25

Yuvaraja, a 25-year-old male giraffe and one of the major attractions at the Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens, Mysuru, died due to age-related complications on January 28.

Zoo executive director Anusha said Yuvaraja passed away at around 10.30 a.m. and was the longest-living giraffe at the Mysuru zoo.

Yuvaraja, born on December 7, 2001, is the offspring of giraffes Henry and Honey, who were brought to Mysuru in 1987 from a zoo in Germany.

After his birth, Yuvaraja was hand-reared by animal keepers and grew up under their care, she said. Henry and Honey had earlier given birth to Krishnaraja, Chamaraja and Narasimharaja, with Yuvaraja being the last calf born to the pair.

A star attraction for visitors for over two decades, Yuvaraja’s death has left zoo staff and wildlife lovers saddened. The Mysuru zoo expressed deep sorrow over his demise.

The century-old zoo is among the leading zoological parks in India to have successfully bred giraffes in captivity.