Milwaukee County Zoo mourns the loss of longtime resident giraffe Rahna

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- The Milwaukee County Zoo announced on Wednesday, March 29 that Rahna, a 30-year-old female reticulated giraffe, was humanely euthanized due to age-related health issues.

Rahna had been under continuous monitoring by animal care staff, who had concerns about her quality of life. The typical life expectancy for female giraffes living in zoos is 20 years old, according to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Born in 1992 at the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs, Rahna arrived at the Milwaukee County Zoo in Dec. 1994. She was known as the "blond" giraffe due to her nearly white face, which was a genetic trait passed down from her light-colored family line.

Rahna gave birth to one calf, Skye, who is now almost 25 years old and lives at the Sacramento Zoo in California. Rahna's half-brother, Bahatika, passed away unexpectedly just last week.

The Giraffe Building at the Milwaukee County Zoo is set to be closed on March 29 to allow zookeepers time to grieve and attend to the other giraffes in the herd.

The zoo pointed out that Rahna’s and Baha’s memory can be honored by supporting The Giraffe Conservation Foundation.