A beloved breeding male giraffe at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo died Friday, zoo officials announced. According to a press release, Khalid (pronounced “Kuh-LEED”), died Friday after being humanely euthanized by the zoo’s care team. Khalid had suffered with mobility issues, and his health had rapi dly declined over the past week, according to zoo officials. At 17, Khalid was considered quite old for a giraffe. He would have turned 18 in May, having already exceeded the species’ average lifespan of 16½ years. Khalid arrived to the zoo in June 2010 and was Cheyenne Mountain Zoo’s only breeding bull. During his life, he fathered seven calves, including two females that still reside at the zoo. He became a grandfather in March 2025 and was affectionately called “Big Daddy,” according to the zoo. Khalid’s identifying feature was his bumpy head, which was much bumpier than the rest of the herd’s. This is a natural occurrence for male giraffe, whose testosterone encourages calcium deposits to grow on their heads and around their ossicones (the horn-like points on top of their heads), according to the zoo. Khalid, a 17-year-old male giraffe who fathered seven calves, died Dec. 12.(Courtesy of Cheyenne Mountain Zoo) “He was a gentle giant,” Kacie Meffley, giraffe animal care manager at CMZoo, said in the release. “He had this huge imposing head and body paired with a surprisingly gentle demeanor. Many people will remember him leaning over the fence into the nursery stall when his babies were born, so he could delicately smell them and lick their heads. He was also gentle with guests, who would save lettuce especially for Khalid when feeding our herd.” Officials said the zoo’s care teams work hard to give animals their “Last Best Day.” For Khalid, it was a peaceful passing, allowing him to receive his injection cooperatively and calmly, according to the zoo. “He was the best boy…as always, and he will be deeply missed,” Diana Miller, giraffe specialist at CMZoo’s International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe said in the release. “He got lots of head scratches, bananas and browse. He nuzzled some of the giraffe and then he came over to train for the most beautiful voluntary hand injection, then shifted into spaces where we could give him his final care. He had a good last day and that’s all we could hope for. His legacy will live on in all of the things we learned from him.” According to the zoo, a necropsy will be performed on Khalid and his large hooves will become part of a “groundbreaking” study on giraffe hoof anatomy. Officials plan to welcome another breeding bull to the zoo as soon as possible. ...read more read less