Roger Williams Park Zoo says Jaffa the giraffe is in recovery after hoof procedure

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — One of the giraffes at Providence’s Roger Williams Park Zoo is recovering after a complicated procedure.

Jaffa, a 12-year-old male giraffe, had a corrective hoof trim to all four of his legs.

Jaffa has chronic hoof issues, which is common in older giraffes.

“Fully anesthetizing a giraffe is a complicated and risky procedure requiring coordination between many zoo departments and benefiting from outside specialists,” said Dr. Kim Wojick, the zoo’s senior veterinarian. “In Jaffa’s case, his immense size and chronic foot condition made the procedure even more challenging.”

Jaffa and Cora at Roger Williams Park Zoo in Providence. (Photo courtesy of Roger Williams Park Zoo)

Veterinary experts and keepers from the Columbus Zoo, Omaha Zoo, Zoo New England, and the Tufts University veterinary anesthesia department came together for his procedure.

The team found that Jaffa is in good health. He will need ongoing care, including possible future procedures.

He was brought back to the zoo where he is recovering with Cora and Providence, who came to the zoo in the fall.

Jaffa was born at the zoo in 2010. His mother, Sukari, was humanely euthanized in December 2021 due to her old age and battle with arthritis.