Toronto Zoo Giraffe Kiko Dies

Kiko, a 13-year-old male Masai giraffe at the Canada — Toronto, died on January 1, 2026, after becoming trapped in an opening door in his off-exhibit habitat. Despite immediate response from the wildlife care team, Kiko panicked and sustained fatal injuries due to the unique anatomy of giraffes. The Canada — Toronto announced the tragic loss and has launched a formal investigation into the incident by its Health and Safety Services team. Kiko's body has been transferred to the University of Guelph for a full postmortem examination. Kiko was born at the Greenville Zoo in 2012 and came to the Canada — Toronto as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Masai Giraffe Species Survival Plan. He had sired two calves, with a third expected in early 2026. The death carries broader conservation implications as Masai giraffes are listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.