The zoo has lost two giraffes from its herd this week

The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo is mourning the loss of the 27-year-old matriarch of its giraffe herd, Muziki.

Zoo officials said in a press release Friday that Muziki (pronounced moo-ZEE-key) was euthanized by the care team after quickly declining from age-related issues, including bone density loss in the jaw.

Muziki, who was born at the zoo, was the oldest giraffe in the herd and the the fifth oldest reticulated giraffe in the United States.

“I’ll remember her as a leader in the herd,” Kacie Meffley, giraffe animal care manager, said. “She was gentle and confident. She taught newborn calves and giraffe who moved to our Zoo how to be giraffe at CMZoo because the herd would naturally follow her lead.”

Muziki often participated in giraffe care workshops hosted by the International Center for the Care and Conservation of Giraffe.

“Muziki was the herd matriarch, and giraffe and humans alike worked to earn her respect,” Kacie said. “She wouldn’t let just anyone train with her, so once you earned her trust and respect, it felt pretty special. I remember one day, when we were applying an ointment to her joints to help with arthritis. She would step away when others approached, but she stood perfectly still for me to do it. That’s when I knew we had formed a real bond.”

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo gives animals, including Muziki, their Last Best Day.

“Muziki’s last best day was spent doing her favorite things, enjoying the sunshine outside and receiving lettuce from guests, volunteers and staff,” Kacie said. “At the end of the day, she had the entire barn, with lots of choices to rest on sand or participate in enrichment while she spent time with other giraffe and staff.”

Muziki’s death is the second in the herd in less than a week, after 15-year-old male Mashama died “somewhat unexpectedly” around 1 a.m. Sunday, the zoo said.