At 31 years, 9 months, and 7 days old, Twiga held the record for the oldest living giraffe in human care. Giraffes typically live about 25 years.

She was born in the Los Angels Zoo, October 1, 1991. Twiga came to the Ellen Trout Zoo on June 4, 2008, from the Racine (Wisconsin) Zoo.

“Twiga helped our other two giraffes, Kellen and Luna, feel comfortable in their new home in Lufkin,” Zoo Director Gordon Henley said. “She will be greatly missed.”