KENT COUNTY (WWJ) - Officials at the Boulder Ridge Wild Animal Park in West Michigan shared the sudden and heartbreaking death of one of their most beloved residents this week -- a 13-year-old giraffe named Tucker.
The zoo, located at 8313 Pratt Lake Ave SE in Alto between Grand Rapids and Lansing, said Tucker died unexpectedly the morning of Monday, April 17, shortly after he was discovered unresponsive.
A post-mortem examination specifically performed on animals known as a necropsy was conducted by veterinarians that afternoon, the zoo said, which determined the cause of his death.
"Giraffes are noted for having the highest blood pressure of any animal species and the findings... indicated Tucker had died from an acute onset of heart failure,” officials stated. “This was a complete shock to all of us as he showed no signs of having any issues.”
Tucker was born on Dec. 1, 2009, and has become a beloved and very popular resident since his introduction to the park.
"Tucker will be remembered as the 'big guy' with the defining cross pattern on his neck and with the long black tongue who would gently snag a lettuce leaf from the hands of anyone within reach," zoo officials shared on Facebook." He brought joy to so many people and will be greatly missed by all."
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