Birmingham Zoo mourns loss of beloved giraffe Jalil

The Birmingham Zoo is mourning the loss of one of its most beloved residents, Jalil, a 20-year-old male giraffe known for his towering presence, gentle personality and love of interacting with guests.

Jalil was humanely euthanized on Tuesday, May 12, after years of treatment for age-related mobility challenges and a recent decline in health. According to the Zoo, the decision came after exhausting all humane treatment options to keep him comfortable.

Remembering Jalil the Giraffe

Born at the San Francisco Zoo on May 9, 2006, Jalil arrived in Birmingham in 2007 and quickly became a fan favorite. The name Jalil (which means “honored one” in Swahili) was chosen through a naming contest involving students from Ramsay High School when he first arrived in Birmingham.

Standing 16 feet tall and weighing around 2,400 pounds, he served as the Zoo’s only breeding bull for nearly two decades and fathered two calves: Griffin, born in 2014, and Mopane, born in 2024.

For years, Jalil participated in the Zoo’s popular Kiwanis Giraffe Feeding Experience, where guests fed him romaine lettuce and got an up-close look at one of Birmingham’s most recognizable animals.

Zoo staff said he especially loved sniffing guests wearing perfume or cologne, and his care team often used different scents as enrichment activities.

Jalil’s lasting impact at the Birmingham Zoo

His animal care team supported Jalil through numerous health treatments over the years, including stem cell therapy, laser treatments, custom shoes, hoof care and specialized feeding plans to help maintain his comfort and weight.

“Jalil’s legacy will live on in our hearts. For the past 13 years of my career with the Birmingham Zoo, it has been one of my greatest honors to care for Jalil.

As a young keeper, we learned many skills together – he was always patient and forgiving, while I learned how to communicate with him and build a lasting foundation of trust with our relationship. I will carry the lessons he taught me for the rest of my career, and I could not have asked for a better best friend and mentor.”

Amy Toman, Curator at the Birmingham Zoo

The Birmingham Zoo says it plans to welcome another breeding bull in the future as part of the giraffe Species Survival Plan, but for now, staff and visitors are reflecting on Jalil’s lasting impact.

“For now, we continue to remember Jalil and the positive impact he made on all of us. He is the honored one.”

Chris Pfefferkorn, President and CEO at the Birmingham Zoo

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