Old age claims another Phila. zoo animal

Twigga the giraffe is no more.

One of the oldest giraffes in this country, 29-year-old Twigga was euthanized yesterday at the Philadelphia Zoo, her home since 1979.

The Zoo, in announcing her death today, said the 15-foot-tall giraffe had been on medications for age-related arthritis for some time.

"Based on Twigga's comfort and behavior, the zoo's veterinary team decided this week that humane euthanasia was now the best course for her," the zoo said in a statement.

Giraffes typically live into their late teens to early 20s.

Twigga was born at the Knoxville Zoo and was described as "an extraordinarily gentle giraffe."

She is the second giraffe to be euthanized at the zoo this year. Puzzles, who was 27, was euthanized in March due to age related problems.

Earlier this month, Petal, then the oldest African elephant in the nation at 52, died at the zoo.

Kirsten Wilf, a zoo spokeswoman, said the deaths underscore the advanced age of many of the zoo's 1,500 animals.