Knoxville Zoo is saddened to announce the death of Miss T, one of the zoo's reticulated giraffes. Miss T died on Monday, January 24, 2011. At 27 years old, she was the seventh oldest giraffe in the United States.

Knoxville Zoo staff and veterinarians from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine (UTCVM) had been monitoring the geriatric giraffe closely over the last few months as she began exhibiting symptoms of her advanced years. In recent days, her health began deteriorating rapidly, and the decision was made to humanely euthanize her. Miss T passed peacefully with her zoo keepers by her side.

Born at the Dallas Zoo, Miss T came to Knoxville when she was seven months old. The mother of nine calves, she shared the zoo's Grasslands Africa exhibit with her daughter, Patches, and her granddaughter Lucille. The normal life expectancy for giraffes is 17 years, so at 27 years old, Miss T was the grande dame of Knoxville Zoo's giraffe herd.

"It's never easy to say goodbye to a beloved animal, but we're going to celebrate Miss T's legacy," says Lisa New, director of animal collections. "She was an amazing ambassador, and gave so many people the opportunity to appreciate the beauty and grace of her species. We will miss her."

Expressions of sympathy for Miss T's keepers and her other caregivers may be sent to Attn: Thoughts for Miss T, Knoxville Zoo, P.O. Box 6040, Knoxville, TN 37914. Knoxville Zoo is located off exit 392 from Interstate 40 and is open every day except Christmas Day. The zoo is nationally accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and is committed to the highest standards in animal care and well-being, ethics, conservation, and education. Currently, the zoo is open every day from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission and ticket sales stop one hour before the zoo closes. Next-day admission is free after 3 p.m. For more information, please call 865-637-5331 ext. 300 or visit www.knoxville-zoo.org.