Reid Park Zoo officials announced that a 27-year-old giraffe was put to death due to age-related health issues.
Texas, the 27-year-old reticulated giraffe, had been at the zoo since 1989. She has given birth to five giraffes, which are all residing at zoos around the country. Texas surpassed the female giraffe life expectancy of 19 years.
Zoo officials say Texas had been showing signs of decreased appetite, low energy and reduced strength.
"It was finally the climax of watching an animal deteriorate over the last several weeks and months," General Curator Jim Schnormeier said.
He explained the staff has taken care of Texas for months, but it got to the point where they couldn't do any more to help.
"We weren't making any headway for what we could do for her," Schnormeier said. "We did not want her to suffer, and so we felt that it was time that we leave her of her life."
Schnormeier said the staff will have a discussion about bringing in another animal soon, but today's focus was on Texas and the other animals.
The zoo has three other giraffes on exhibit.
