16-year-old giraffe dies at Birmingham Zoo

A giraffe that lived her entire life at the Birmingham Zoo has died.Willow, a 16-year-old female reticulated giraffe, died Friday after becoming ill earlier in the week, according to a social media post by the zoo.The zoo said the giraffe had not been doing well, and her appetite continued to decline. She had an exam Thursday night which went well, according to the zoo, and was given fluids and antibiotics.The zoo post said, "After the exam, Willow did not get back up and quietly passed Friday morning December 27th, despite the heroic efforts of our animal care and animal health staff. The specific cause remains unknown, but a necropsy has been performed and tissues have been sent for evaluation."Willow was born at the Birmingham Zoo in 2008. Zoo personnel said she was a special animal and an amazing ambassador for her species. >> WVTM 13 ON-THE-GO: Download our app for free