A Sad Farewell to a Tall Friend

Sulima (pronounced suh-leem-ah) the elderly baringo giraffe at the Santa Barbara Zoo, was humanely euthanized on Monday.Sulima was born at the San Diego Safari Park but lived at the Santa Barbara Zoo for 20 of her 21 years.Her health began to decline recently.Her companion Gemina (pronounced jeh-meen-uh) was the zoo’s beloved crooked-necked giraffe. He died in 2008, also at the relatively “old” age of 21. Though they weren’t related, Sulima bonded with calf Daniel when the cafe was only 3-months old.Zoo director Nancy McToldridge said, “Every animal at the zoo is special, particularly for the people who care for them every day. We will forever share fond memories of our baringo herd and we’ll miss her.”