COAL VALLEY, ILLINOIS (February 14, 2023) — One of the zoo’s most popular and beloved residents, Twiga, a sixteen-year-old female Southern Nubian Giraffe, passed away on January 3 from a degenerative neurological disease of the brain and spinal cord. “Twiga was an extraordinary member of our zoo family’ beloved by her keepers and our guests alike,” says Zoo Director Lee Jackson. Twiga came to the Niabi Zoo in 2007 from the Palm Beach Zoo at the age of one. She would have been seventeen in March.
“She was always eager to interact with keepers for training sessions, and endeared herself to countless guests through her interactions with them at public feedings and through the creation of her artwork,” said Kristina Stump, who cared for Twiga since she was a year old. “As someone who has worked closely with her for fifteen years, my hope is that her interactions with the people of the Quad Cities instilled in them a passion for giraffes that will benefit the conservation of the species, ensuring that her legacy will endure.”
About Niabi Zoo
Niabi Zoo is now closed for the regular admission season but there are plenty of experiences happening at the zoo year-round. Visit NiabiZoo.com for more information. Niabi will be open for the 2023 regular admission season starting April 17,2023.
Located in Coal Valley, Illinois, Niabi Zoo offers an opportunity to explore more than forty acres that encompass 200 animal species while enjoying the countryside of Rock Island county. This exploration guides guests through the discovery of more than 600 animals from around the world.
You can find all the details here: niabizoo.com/plan-your-visit/hours-pricing/.
The Niabi Zoo is a proud member of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA). Member Institutions are held to the highest standards of animal care and welfare. The ZAA is the fastest-growing professional zoo organization in the United States.
