BOISE – Zoo Boise, a division of Boise Parks and Recreation, is happy to share positive news about Jabari, the zoo’s 16-year-old male giraffe, following the comprehensive health examination he received in July 2026.
Jabari has been experiencing some common age-related changes due to his advanced age, including arthritis and slower mobility. Zoo Boise scheduled the exam proactively to get a more complete picture of his health and gather valuable information that will help the veterinary and animal care teams continue providing him with the best possible care as he grows older.
The exam was the most comprehensive Jabari has received and included a full physical examination, blood work, radiographs, hoof reshaping, and additional health assessments.
Jabari took a few days to return to his normal routine and diet following the procedure, but he is doing well. His lab work was normal, his hooves were reshaped during the exam, and radiographs showed no fractures in the bones of his feet.
Overall, the exam provided encouraging information and gives Zoo Boise’s veterinary and animal care teams an important new baseline for monitoring Jabari’s health into the future. He will continue with his existing senior care plan, while the information gathered during the exam will help staff monitor and treat age related changes in the years ahead.
A total of 32 people assisted with Jabari’s exam. The team included Zoo Boise veterinary and animal care staff, a giraffe specialist, experienced farriers, and professionals from a partner zoo. The large team and months of preparation helped ensure Jabari received a high level of specialized care throughout the procedure and recovery.
Because of their exceptional height and unique physiology, giraffe anesthesia is never routine or undertaken lightly. Jabari’s procedure required extensive planning and coordination among veterinary, animal-care, and hoof-care professionals. Additionally, staff worked together in shifts to massage Jabari’s muscles while he was under anesthesia to prevent damage from lying in one spot for too long. Zoo Boise’s decision to address his hoof overgrowth and any associated potential for lameness reflects the team’s commitment to his long-term comfort, mobility, and health, according to giraffe veterinarian Dr. Liza Dadone who assisted with the procedure.
“This procedure was truly a team effort, and we are grateful for everyone who stepped up and put Jabari’s health first,” said Boise Parks and Recreation Director Sara Arkle. “The teamwork on display was exemplary, and I know the information gathered will allow our dedicated staff members to provide the best, most comprehensive care for Jabari going forward.”
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.
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 conservation. Since the program began, giraffe feedings have helped raise more than $350,000 for wildlife conservation projects around the world.
Zoo Boise is grateful for the support and well-wishes the community has shared for Jabari and looks forward to continuing to care for him throughout his senior years.
About Zoo Boise
Zoo Boise has transformed the act of visiting the zoo into a conservation action. Since 2007, visits to Zoo Boise have generated more than $4.5 million toward the conservation of animals in the wild. Zoo Boise is accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums (AZA), a national organization that supports excellence in animal care, conservation, education, and science.
