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Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
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AMANI WAS THE OLDEST GIRAFFE IN THE CMZOO HERD, AND THE NINTH OLDESST GIRAFFE IN THE AZA – Cheyenne Mountain Zoo said a loving goodbye to Amani (pronounced a-mah-nee), a 26-year-old female reticulated giraffe, on Wed., Oct. 7. After a quick decline in her health due to age-related issues, her care team made the difficult but compassionate decision to euthanize her. She was the oldest giraffe in the CMZoo herd and the ninth oldest giraffe in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA).
Amani was born at CMZoo in 1999, and would have turned 27 years old on Dec. 13, 2026. The median life expectancy for a female giraffe in human care is 20 years, according to the AZA.
Amani was recognizable by her dark, bushy ossicones, amber face, and distinctive rectangle-shaped chest marking. She was one of the largest giraffe in the herd, with striking eyes. She often spent time with her best friend, Lakeisha.
Amani often had a quiet way of making herself noticed. One of her favorite activities was eating lettuce from guests, and rather than pushing her way to the front of the herd, she would patiently wait her turn in specific spots she knew guests would pass by. She had a signature look that was hard to resist — those gorgeous eyes fixed on guests, with just the tip of her tongue peeking out as she waited for a piece of lettuce.
“Amani was one of the first giraffe I ever worked with, and I had the privilege of working with her for fourteen years,” Diana Miller, giraffe specialist, says. “Her name means ‘peaceful,’ and it really was the perfect name for her. She had this calm, steady presence, but she also had just enough spice to keep us on our toes. She knew what she wanted, and she would let us know. She had a quiet confidence about her that I really admired.”
That quiet confidence was especially apparent during training sessions, where Amani had a knack for doing things her own way.
“Amani would store her reinforcers, like crackers, in her cheeks,” Diana says. “Sometimes, during a training session, we would offer her more crackers to continue a behavior, and instead of taking our crackers, she’d pull the stored ones out of her cheek and take her time eating them before starting training again. It was almost like, ‘I can reinforce myself, thank you very much.’ I’m really going to miss training with her.”
After years of working with Amani, her keepers developed a deep understanding of her individual behaviors and cues. That familiarity helped them respond to her needs, build trust, and make adjustments for her individual care.
“Amani sometimes communicated in such subtle ways,” Diana says. “It could be the smallest movement, a change in her breathing or a quiet expression, but once you knew how she communicated, you were completely locked in with her. She taught us that sometimes the most important communication from an animal isn’t the big, obvious behavior. It’s the small things you notice when you really know them.”
For her keepers, caring for Amani was an opportunity to continually grow their skills in giraffe care. Amani encouraged them to build strong relationships with her and find creative solutions when they encountered challenges.
“With Amani, the relationship really mattered. She wasn’t going to give you something just because you asked,” Diana says. “You had to know her, and she had to know you. Once you built that relationship, you were golden. She taught us that training giraffe isn’t just about the behavior you’re trying to achieve — it’s about building trust and understanding the individual. Once Amani trusted you, she would give you so much.”
Amani’s important influence wasn’t limited to her relationships with her care team.
The other giraffe often looked to Amani, who had a calm, steady way about her. Whenever a new giraffe or calf joined the herd, the care team would typically pair the newcomer with Amani because of the reassurance she provided, especially to younger members of the herd.
Amani might not have always been the first giraffe to investigate something new, but she was often the one her care team watched to understand how the herd was doing. Her steady presence gave the other giraffe confidence, and her response to changes in the environment could tell her keepers a lot about what was working for the herd.
In so many ways, Amani was an extraordinary ambassador. Patient and gentle, she became a giraffe guests remembered long after their visit. With a simple look or shared moment, she helped people connect with giraffe in a meaningful way. Amani’s legacy will live on through the keepers she inspired, the giraffe she helped guide, and the countless guests who came to love her.
“There are animals that come into our lives to teach us things, and that was Amani for me,” Diana says. “I think what I’ll miss most is seeing her face peek around the door in the morning. Home isn’t always a place. Sometimes, it’s a familiar presence that has been part of your life for so many years. Amani was that steady presence in my life. She was always there, and there’s going to be a big gap without her.”
Amani’s passing comes at a time when we have said goodbye to several iconic animals who have touched the lives of so many people: Laikipia, Mochi, and Atka. Each loss is felt deeply by our animal care teams and our community. Caring for an animal throughout its entire life is one of the greatest honors of working with animals. It means being there through every stage of their lives, celebrating who they are, what they teach us, and the connections they make with people along the way. And, eventually, it means helping them have what we call their “Last Best Day.”
For every animal, a Last Best Day looks different. For Amani, it meant filling her day with the things she loved: enjoying her favorite snacks, including browse and crackers, taking lettuce from guests and staff, and spending time with her bestie, Lakeshia. It was a day that reflected who Amani was throughout her life — calm, connected to the people who cared for her and surrounded by the giraffe and humans she knew best.
“There are seasons at a zoo filled with new life, milestones, and celebrations, and there are seasons that are simply hard,” Dave Ruhl, CMZoo president & CEO, says. “Right now, we are in a hard season. Our animal care teams continue to show up each day, carrying the weight of these losses while giving their expertise, compassion, and care to the animals who are still counting on them. They continue to celebrate the good days, work through the difficult ones, and do everything they can to give each animal the best life possible.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and kind messages from our community as we remember Amani and the other animals we have recently lost. We know these animals have been part of your lives, too, and we are honored to share their stories with you. If you are grieving an animal you came to know and love at the Zoo, know that your grief is a reflection of the connection you shared with them. That connection is one of the most special parts of what we do.”
As we continue to care for the giraffe herd through this loss, we are also closely monitoring 48-year-old Kimba, one of our geriatric African elephants. In the past, Kimba has experienced periods of lethargy and decreased appetite and, with support, has bounced back and gone on to live well. However, she has recently experienced more off days than good days without the improvement we’ve seen in the past. We’re watching her closely and keeping her well-being at the forefront of her care. During this difficult season, we’re grateful for every day we have with our incredible animals.
This is a hard season, but Amani’s Last Best Day is also a reminder of what we hope for every animal in our care: to be surrounded by the things that make their lives meaningful, with the people and animals who know and love them. We will grieve these animals, remember them, and carry forward what they taught us. And tomorrow, our teams will come back, support one another, and continue caring for the incredible animals in our care.
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2026, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #2 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Since 2008, CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program has raised more than $6 million dedicated to frontline conservation efforts around the world. Of the 237 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.
The post Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Says Loving Goodbye to Amani appeared first on CMZoo.
Amani was born at CMZoo in 1999, and would have turned 27 years old on Dec. 13, 2026. The median life expectancy for a female giraffe in human care is 20 years, according to the AZA.
Amani was recognizable by her dark, bushy ossicones, amber face, and distinctive rectangle-shaped chest marking. She was one of the largest giraffe in the herd, with striking eyes. She often spent time with her best friend, Lakeisha.
Amani often had a quiet way of making herself noticed. One of her favorite activities was eating lettuce from guests, and rather than pushing her way to the front of the herd, she would patiently wait her turn in specific spots she knew guests would pass by. She had a signature look that was hard to resist — those gorgeous eyes fixed on guests, with just the tip of her tongue peeking out as she waited for a piece of lettuce.
“Amani was one of the first giraffe I ever worked with, and I had the privilege of working with her for fourteen years,” Diana Miller, giraffe specialist, says. “Her name means ‘peaceful,’ and it really was the perfect name for her. She had this calm, steady presence, but she also had just enough spice to keep us on our toes. She knew what she wanted, and she would let us know. She had a quiet confidence about her that I really admired.”
That quiet confidence was especially apparent during training sessions, where Amani had a knack for doing things her own way.
“Amani would store her reinforcers, like crackers, in her cheeks,” Diana says. “Sometimes, during a training session, we would offer her more crackers to continue a behavior, and instead of taking our crackers, she’d pull the stored ones out of her cheek and take her time eating them before starting training again. It was almost like, ‘I can reinforce myself, thank you very much.’ I’m really going to miss training with her.”
After years of working with Amani, her keepers developed a deep understanding of her individual behaviors and cues. That familiarity helped them respond to her needs, build trust, and make adjustments for her individual care.
“Amani sometimes communicated in such subtle ways,” Diana says. “It could be the smallest movement, a change in her breathing or a quiet expression, but once you knew how she communicated, you were completely locked in with her. She taught us that sometimes the most important communication from an animal isn’t the big, obvious behavior. It’s the small things you notice when you really know them.”
For her keepers, caring for Amani was an opportunity to continually grow their skills in giraffe care. Amani encouraged them to build strong relationships with her and find creative solutions when they encountered challenges.
“With Amani, the relationship really mattered. She wasn’t going to give you something just because you asked,” Diana says. “You had to know her, and she had to know you. Once you built that relationship, you were golden. She taught us that training giraffe isn’t just about the behavior you’re trying to achieve — it’s about building trust and understanding the individual. Once Amani trusted you, she would give you so much.”
Amani’s important influence wasn’t limited to her relationships with her care team.
The other giraffe often looked to Amani, who had a calm, steady way about her. Whenever a new giraffe or calf joined the herd, the care team would typically pair the newcomer with Amani because of the reassurance she provided, especially to younger members of the herd.
Amani might not have always been the first giraffe to investigate something new, but she was often the one her care team watched to understand how the herd was doing. Her steady presence gave the other giraffe confidence, and her response to changes in the environment could tell her keepers a lot about what was working for the herd.
In so many ways, Amani was an extraordinary ambassador. Patient and gentle, she became a giraffe guests remembered long after their visit. With a simple look or shared moment, she helped people connect with giraffe in a meaningful way. Amani’s legacy will live on through the keepers she inspired, the giraffe she helped guide, and the countless guests who came to love her.
“There are animals that come into our lives to teach us things, and that was Amani for me,” Diana says. “I think what I’ll miss most is seeing her face peek around the door in the morning. Home isn’t always a place. Sometimes, it’s a familiar presence that has been part of your life for so many years. Amani was that steady presence in my life. She was always there, and there’s going to be a big gap without her.”
Amani’s passing comes at a time when we have said goodbye to several iconic animals who have touched the lives of so many people: Laikipia, Mochi, and Atka. Each loss is felt deeply by our animal care teams and our community. Caring for an animal throughout its entire life is one of the greatest honors of working with animals. It means being there through every stage of their lives, celebrating who they are, what they teach us, and the connections they make with people along the way. And, eventually, it means helping them have what we call their “Last Best Day.”
For every animal, a Last Best Day looks different. For Amani, it meant filling her day with the things she loved: enjoying her favorite snacks, including browse and crackers, taking lettuce from guests and staff, and spending time with her bestie, Lakeshia. It was a day that reflected who Amani was throughout her life — calm, connected to the people who cared for her and surrounded by the giraffe and humans she knew best.
“There are seasons at a zoo filled with new life, milestones, and celebrations, and there are seasons that are simply hard,” Dave Ruhl, CMZoo president & CEO, says. “Right now, we are in a hard season. Our animal care teams continue to show up each day, carrying the weight of these losses while giving their expertise, compassion, and care to the animals who are still counting on them. They continue to celebrate the good days, work through the difficult ones, and do everything they can to give each animal the best life possible.”
“We are incredibly grateful for the outpouring of support and kind messages from our community as we remember Amani and the other animals we have recently lost. We know these animals have been part of your lives, too, and we are honored to share their stories with you. If you are grieving an animal you came to know and love at the Zoo, know that your grief is a reflection of the connection you shared with them. That connection is one of the most special parts of what we do.”
As we continue to care for the giraffe herd through this loss, we are also closely monitoring 48-year-old Kimba, one of our geriatric African elephants. In the past, Kimba has experienced periods of lethargy and decreased appetite and, with support, has bounced back and gone on to live well. However, she has recently experienced more off days than good days without the improvement we’ve seen in the past. We’re watching her closely and keeping her well-being at the forefront of her care. During this difficult season, we’re grateful for every day we have with our incredible animals.
This is a hard season, but Amani’s Last Best Day is also a reminder of what we hope for every animal in our care: to be surrounded by the things that make their lives meaningful, with the people and animals who know and love them. We will grieve these animals, remember them, and carry forward what they taught us. And tomorrow, our teams will come back, support one another, and continue caring for the incredible animals in our care.
About Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
Cheyenne Mountain Zoological Society was founded in 1926. Today, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, America’s mountain Zoo, offers comprehensive education programs, exciting conservation efforts and truly fantastic animal experiences. In 2026, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo was voted #2 Best Zoo in North America and CMZoo’s Rocky Mountain Wild was named #2 Best Zoo Exhibit in North America by USA TODAY’s 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. It is Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s goal to help guests fall in love with animals and nature, and take action to protect them. Since 2008, CMZoo’s Quarters for Conservation program has raised more than $6 million dedicated to frontline conservation efforts around the world. Of the 237 zoos and aquariums accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is one of just a few operating without tax support. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo depends on admissions, membership dues, special event attendance and donations for funding.
The post Cheyenne Mountain Zoo Says Loving Goodbye to Amani appeared first on CMZoo.