In Loving Memory of Ozzie the Giraffe

Ozzie was a male, Reticulated giraffe. Ozzie was born at Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Wichita, Kansas. He came to Lion Habitat Ranch when he was just 8 months old and 8 feet tall and grew to be 17 feet tall. Ozzie was a painting giraffe and did 4 painting demonstrations each day at his leisure. He had his own clothing line, called Jungle Wear by Ozzie, where he painted hats, scarves, t-shirts and more. He also painted canvases of all different sizes and colors, keychains, and magnets.

Giraffes are herbivores and spend upwards of 20 hours a day eating plant matter. Ozzie ate up to 60-80 pounds every single day! Giraffe’s tongues stick out 18 inches and are prehensile. They can wrap their big tongues around tree branches, stripping them of the leaves.

The Lion Habitat Ranch family is deeply saddened to announce the passing of Ozzie, our cherished giraffe, on August 1st. Ozzie’s sudden passing has left us all in shock and disbelief, as he was not just an animal under our care but a beloved member of our community by both children and adults, as well as being a part of our animal family.

The tragic incident occurred during the night when Ozzie became startled by an unknown factor (possibly from an insect bite or something on the ground under him) and he attempted to rise faster than usual. This caused him to lose his footing in the process and fall into a splay position—a condition where an animal’s legs go out from under them unnaturally. Despite our dedicated care staff’s tireless efforts, Ozzie’s splay was life-threatening, and he ultimately passed away due to the injuries to his leg and the strain of attempting to rise. Animal Control did come out and observe that there were no violations.

Our team provided around-the-clock care, offering nourishments, hydration, and medications as prescribed by the veterinary team. We encouraged him to remain calm and rest, hoping he would regain his strength to be able to stand once again. Our on-site veterinarian and consultations with experts from out of state ensured that Ozzie received the best possible care during this critical time.
In memory of Ozzie, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who shared their kind words, support, and love. Your compassion has touched us deeply. We are profoundly moved by the hundreds of photos and videos shared with us, capturing the extraordinary joy Ozzie brought to everyone he met.

Supporting Our Team:
The loss of Ozzie has had a profound impact on our staff. We recognize the emotional toll it takes, and we are committed to supporting our team during this difficult period. We are collaborating with GRAZE (Growing Resilience for Aquarium and Zoo Employees) to provide the necessary resources and counseling for our dedicated care team.

Ozzie’s legacy will forever remain in our hearts, and we appreciate the outpouring of sympathy from our community. Together, we honor his memory and continue our mission to care for and protect the remarkable animals at the Lion Habitat Ranch.

About Lion Habitat Ranch:
The Lion Habitat Ranch is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the conservation and education of big cats as well as giraffes. Our mission is to create a safe and enriching environment for these majestic animals while educating our guests and followers about their vital role in our ecosystem.