Zoo Boise, a division of Boise Parks and Recreation, is taking a proactive approach to giraffe care, particularly for Jabari, the zoo’s 16-year-old aging male giraffe, through a comprehensive health evaluation planned in late July.
Jabari’s evaluation will allow Zoo Boise's veterinary and animal care teams to gather valuable information about Jabari's overall health and help guide his care in the years ahead. Jabari is showing some common signs of aging, including arthritis and slower mobility, and this exam will provide a more complete understanding of his health and help ensure he receives the best possible care as he grows older.
“The health and well-being of every animal we care for at Zoo Boise is at the heart of everything we do, and this planned exam for Jabari is an important part of providing the highest standard of care,” said Boise Parks and Recreation Director Sara Arkle. “These proactive evaluations help us better understand his health and ensure he continues to thrive for years to come. We are incredibly grateful to our dedicated veterinary team, animal care staff, and the specialists who bring their expertise and compassion to every step of this process.”
In recent years, Zoo Boise has implemented a variety of measures to support Jabari’s comfort and wellbeing, including pain management, specialized supplements, customized training, thermal imaging technology, and habitat modifications. He has also been trained to voluntarily participate in a variety of husbandry and veterinary procedures that help staff monitor his health while minimizing stress.
The upcoming procedure will include a physical examination, blood work, radiographs of his limbs, hoof reshaping, and more. While Jabari has participated in routine healthcare throughout his life, this will be the most comprehensive examination he has received and it’s being scheduled now because of age-related changes that naturally occur in senior giraffes.
As with any procedure involving anesthesia, there is some level of risk. That risk increases with older animals, which is why Zoo Boise has spent months preparing for the exam, while assembling a highly experienced team to provide the highest level of care possible.
Along with Zoo Boise's expert veterinary and animal care staff, the team working with Jabari will include a giraffe specialist, an experienced farrier, as well as animal health professionals from a partner zoo. Zoo Boise is also working closely with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) community, drawing on the knowledge and experience of institutions that have successfully conducted similar giraffe procedures.
One of the strengths of the AZA community is the willingness of institutions to share ideas, expertise, and experiences for the benefit of animal care. Zoo Boise has consulted with multiple accredited zoos while preparing for Jabari's exam, helping ensure every aspect of the procedure has been carefully planned.
Preparation has also included modifications to the giraffe habitat. Guests may have noticed mesh, poles, and padding being installed within portions of the habitat. These additions are designed to help create a safer environment for the procedure.
To allow staff to safely conduct the exam, the Africa section of Zoo Boise will be closed for several days during the week of July 20, 2026. While the exam is focused on Jabari, both giraffes will remain behind the scenes during the procedure and recovery period. Tafari, Zoo Boise's 10-year-old giraffe, is not scheduled for this exam and will continue receiving normal routine care. We appreciate your patience and understanding during the temporary closure.
Jabari has long been one of Zoo Boise's most beloved residents. Through the Ashurst Perkins Coie Giraffe Encounter, he has also played an important role in wildlife protection efforts. Since the program began, giraffe encounters have helped raise more than $350,000 for wildlife conservation projects around the world. The entire Zoo Boise team appreciates the community’s support as we take every possible step to ensure Jabari’s health and wellbeing into his senior years.
About Zoo Boise
Zoo Boise is a division of the City of Boise’s Parks and Recreation Department and is supported by the Friends of Zoo Boise, a 501(c)(3) membership organization that supports Zoo Boise in the area of animal acquisition, capital improvement projects, education programs, volunteer opportunities, and special events. The goal of each of these components is to increase public awareness, knowledge, and appreciation of the zoo, wild animals, animal habitats, species conservation, and the environment.
