Zoo Boise put Jabari, its 16-year-old male giraffe, under anesthesia for the most comprehensive health examination of his life, closing the zoo’s Africa section for several days to do it.
The exam was carried out during the week of July 20, 2026 and completed on Tuesday, July 21. Jabari recovered under the watch of the zoo’s veterinary and animal care teams. Zoo Boise said it would share more about his ongoing care plan in the following weeks.
Why the zoo took the risk
Jabari is showing common signs of aging, including arthritis and reduced mobility. The exam was scheduled to get a fuller picture of his health and guide how he is cared for from here.
Anesthesia carries risk for any animal, and the zoo was direct that the risk rises with older animals. Zoo Boise spent months preparing for the procedure and assembled an experienced team to run it.
“The health and wellbeing 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.”
Who was in the room
The zoo assembled a team beyond its own staff. It included a giraffe specialist, an experienced farrier and animal health professionals from a partner zoo. Zoo Boise also consulted other AZA-accredited institutions that had performed similar procedures, drawing on what had worked for them.
Preparation extended to the habitat itself. Guests had noticed mesh, poles and padding going up in parts of the giraffe yard in the weeks beforehand. Those were installed to make the space safer for a large animal going under and waking up.
The procedure covered a physical examination, blood work, radiographs of his limbs and hoof reshaping. Jabari has taken part in routine health care his whole life, but nothing on this scale.
Years of preparation before the exam
Zoo Boise has been adjusting Jabari’s care for some time. He receives pain management, specialized supplements and customized training, and his keepers use thermal imaging to check for problem areas. His habitat has been modified as his mobility has changed.
He has also been trained to take part voluntarily in husbandry and veterinary procedures, which lets staff monitor him without the stress of restraint. That training is what makes an animal of his size manageable when something more serious is needed.
Tafari, the zoo’s 10-year-old male giraffe, was not examined and continued on normal care. Both giraffes stayed behind the scenes during the procedure and Jabari’s recovery.
What Jabari has paid forward
Jabari has been one of the zoo’s better known residents for years. Through the Ashurst Perkins Coie Giraffe Encounter, feedings with him have raised more than $350,000 for wildlife conservation projects, money that flows through the same conservation fund that supports the zoo’s field partners.
Zoo Boise is a division of Boise Parks and Recreation and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Common questions about Jabari’s exam
How old is Jabari?
Jabari is a 16-year-old male giraffe at Zoo Boise. He is considered a senior animal and is showing age-related changes including arthritis and reduced mobility.
Why did Zoo Boise close the Africa section?
The Africa section closed for several days during the week of July 20, 2026 so staff could safely carry out the procedure. Both giraffes remained behind the scenes during the exam and recovery.
Is anesthesia dangerous for giraffes?
Anesthesia carries risk for any animal and Zoo Boise said that risk increases with older animals. The zoo prepared for months and brought in a giraffe specialist, a farrier and animal health professionals from a partner zoo.
How did the exam go?
The exam was completed on July 21, 2026. Jabari recovered under the supervision of Zoo Boise’s veterinary and animal care teams.
