Audubon Zoo Mourns Giraffe Fennessy
The four-year-old giraffe was humanely euthanized after his health continued to decline despite ongoing supportive care.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Wildlife
Audubon Zoo announced the death of four-year-old giraffe Fennessy, who had come from Abilene Zoo. The zoo's care team noticed a lack of appetite and lethargy before his condition worsened and he was humanely euthanized.
Why it matters
Fennessy's death leaves Maverick as the zoo's only giraffe on display, placing added focus on that animal's care. The cause of the decline has not yet been determined, and a necropsy will be performed to investigate.
Fennessy was four years old and had been transferred from Abilene Zoo, where he was named in honor of Julian Fennessy, founder and director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. The zoo has not yet identified what caused his decline, and a necropsy is planned.
The players
Audubon Zoo
Audubon Zoo is a New Orleans zoological park that cares for a wide range of animals and runs conservation and education programs.
Julian Fennessy
Julian Fennessy is the founder and director of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, a group dedicated to protecting wild giraffe populations and their habitats.
The details
Fennessy's care team noticed he had a lack of appetite and lethargy, and his condition continued to worsen despite examinations and ongoing supportive care. The difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him.
Timeline
Recent decline: Fennessy's appetite loss and lethargy began before the announcement.
Monday, November 2, 2026: Audubon Zoo announced Fennessy's death.
Roadmap
Fennessy was named after Julian Fennessy of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation, linking his life at Audubon Zoo to that organization's wider conservation work. His death is a reminder of how closely zoo-managed giraffe populations are followed by conservation groups.
New Orleans visitors to Audubon Zoo will now see Maverick as the only giraffe on display. The zoo is giving him extra support and care while the cause of Fennessy's death is investigated.
The takeaway
Zoo animal deaths often prompt careful investigation, and readers interested in animal welfare can follow how facilities share necropsy findings and care updates.
What happens next
A necropsy will be performed to determine the cause of Fennessy's decline, and Maverick will receive extra support and care.
Further reading
Explore more in the Wildlife section for context on animal care and conservation.
