Jimmie, America’s oldest male giraffe, is in hospice

(CNN) – Jimmie, the oldest male giraffe in the United States and “maybe the world,” is in hospice care, reported the Plumpton Park Zoo in Maryland.

It is the main attraction of the zoo, which has been their home for the past 25 years.

Most male giraffes rarely reach their 20s. However, Jimmie has been able to defy the odds and is currently 26 years old, according to the zoo’s publication in Facebook.

“It’s the heart of the zoo, everyone who knows Plumpton Park knows Jimmie,” zoo director Cheryl Lacovara told WJZ television.

The 1,360-kilogram giraffe had a hoof problem before 2010, prompting the zoo to build a barn for state-of-the-art giraffes. The goal was to improve Jimmie’s comfort and overall health, according to the zoo’s post.

“With the move to a new giraffe barn, medical care and management by an incredible team of veterinarians, Jimmie has far exceeded initial expectations,” reads the zoo’s post. They also explain that they will continue to closely monitor Jimmie’s condition.