DUDLEY Zoo has announced the death of one of the oldest male giraffes in the UK.

Kubwa, aged 22, was put to sleep after consultations with the zoo’s veterinary team on Thursday, January 19.

The decision was made after the deterioration of the 22-year-old’s health following treatment for a long-term condition.

A statement from Dudley Zoo reads: “Kubwa had been at DZC for almost 13 years and was one of the oldest male giraffes in a UK zoo collection and everyone at DZC is understandably saddened at the loss of one of the site’s biggest characters.

“He was also well-loved by visitors and was one of our most adopted animals, with all his current adopters notified of the news by post.”

Kubwa was born in the Netherlands in 2000 and joined the zoo from a collection in Cumbria as part of an international breeding programme and during his time here he sired four offspring.

During his time in Dudley, he sired four offspring.

Kubwa’s surviving calves, three-year-old daughter, Kira, remains here at Dudley Zoo with her mum, Josie, while eight-year-old Kito, who relocated to Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm in Bristol in 2018, has gone on to sire his own offspring.