Arguably the world's best-known giraffe, Makulu, has had to be euthanised
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (326601)
Rockingham, Australia
November 21, 2018 9:53pm CST
I’m sure many of you have seen the iconic photograph of giraffe, Mischa, ‘kissing’ her new-born baby Makulu. The photo earned the paper thousands and thousands of dollars since it was first put up for sale. You can see the photo in the link.
Mischa was euthanised in 2014 following increasing debilitating osteoarthritis. She was born in New Zealand in 1990 and moved to Perth Zoo in Western Australia in 1991. The Rothschild giraffe gave birth to seven calves overall.
Now Makulu has had to be euthanised at the age of 23. At one year of age, Makulu was moved to Melbourne Zoo where he lived the rest of his life. He fathered four calves and was great grandfather to ten thus helping boost the survival of the species. It is believed there are roughly 670 Rothschild giraffes left in the wild. The average life expectancy in the wild is 17 years.
So I’m wondering if you’ve seen the photo of the kiss before. The photo was taken at Werribee Open Range Z00 not far from Melbourne, Victoria.
The Perth-born giraffe which became famous for its appearance in the iconic The Kiss photograph, has died, aged 23.
21 people like this
25 responses
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
22 Nov 18
That is sad. I seen a tv. special and seen the males fighting, that was bad.
3 people like this
@antonbunot (11092)
• Calgary, Alberta
22 Nov 18
Unfortunately and sadly, I have never seen a giraffe except on tv.
3 people like this
@Letranknight2015 (51555)
• Philippines
22 Nov 18
He has contributed and gave birth to future generation of giraffes, hope he will be remembered.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 18
Many have bought his photo. At least in Australia they have.
@shaggin (71678)
• United States
22 Nov 18
Although I have never heard of Makulu I have seen paintings of this giraffe kiss. Sounds like him not living in the wild extended his life. There is giraffe family near us that is pretty famous in the United States. The mother is April and people waited so long to catch her giving birth on a life feed. I wanted nothing to do with watching that ick.
1 person likes this
@shaggin (71678)
• United States
23 Nov 18
@JudyEv my kids and I visited that animal adventure place about 2 years before April arrived. I guess from the live birth the place has grown a lot more and people say it is too crowded and commercialized then before. Better that it is crowded though as that means they are doing well and that is good for the animals.
You are right about that if they give birth standing up that would be a long drop. Do they land on their feet or fall in a heap?
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118798)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Nov 18
That is sad to hear that the giraffe had to be euthanized. Hopefully, it lived a good life. I never realized that the lifespan of a giraffe was so low. Seventeen years is not that long.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118798)
• Gainesville, Florida
22 Nov 18
@JudyEv I think the zoo would be a much more interesting place if they would let the lions hang out with the giraffes!
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Nov 18
@moffittjc Jeffery!!! (Do you get Jeffery when you're in trouble like I get 'Judith'? If I hear 'Judith' I very quickly get my defences ready.) 
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29360)
• Eugene, Oregon
22 Nov 18
Sorry to hear that about her, she helped the species survive. I had not seem the photo.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
22 Nov 18
@tiniganzon @JamesHxstatic @wolfgirl569 @TRBRocks420 It's pretty much as I thought - that the photo isn't known outside of Australia yet the photo hangs in dozens of homes here.
1 person likes this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
23 Nov 18
That is so sweet, and so sad. Proves that animals do have emotions.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Nov 18
@cindiowens Yes, I prefer to believe that too. It certainly looks like a kiss to me. 
1 person likes this
@cindiowens (5120)
• North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
23 Nov 18
@JudyEv Who cares what they say. I think its a kiss.
1 person likes this
@nawala123 (20860)
• Indonesia
24 Nov 18
beautiful, when i was kid, i thought it is camel but with longer neck
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
25 Nov 18
Have you seen photos of an okapi? They look a bit like a giraffe too.
@ilocosboy (45157)
• Philippines
23 Nov 18
Such an inspiring story of Makulu. The good thing is that he touched many lives including the humans who have seen the photo.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (326601)
• Rockingham, Australia
23 Nov 18
Apparently he used to pose nicely for photographs.
@responsiveme (22926)
• India
23 Nov 18
Sad to hear this.
Have seen giraffes only in zoos. I understand that they need strong legs
1 person likes this
