Kyiv Zoo Loses Its Giraffes After They Outlived Typical Life Expectancy.

Giraffe Deaths at Kyiv Zoo

According to TSN.ua: Two giraffes have died at the Kyiv Zoo—one in 2022 and another in 2023. According to the zoo’s general director, Kyrylo Trantin, the animals lived longer than the average lifespan for their species due to careful attention and care. The giraffes reached ages of 22 to 23 years, while the typical life expectancy for giraffes in zoos is no more than 17 years.

Over the last four years, the giraffes received specialized medications that likely contributed to their extended lives. Unfortunately, as Kyrylo Trantin noted, the zoo currently has no giraffes because the ongoing war continues to disrupt operations.

War’s Toll on the Zoo

In 2025, Russian forces attacked the zoo in Kyiv, an event that may have worsened conditions for the animals. The situation at the zoo remains challenging, and the absence of giraffes is part of the broader difficulties the institution has faced during the war. This conflict has created a tough environment for animal care and conservation efforts.

“The deaths of the giraffes at the Kyiv Zoo highlight not only the problems of keeping animals under difficult conditions but also the overall challenges the zoo endures as a result of the war.” - Kyrylo Trantin

In the future, the zoo may need to take additional steps to rebuild its animal populations and improve living conditions, aiming to overcome the war’s impact and ensure the well-being of its residents.