A giraffe that was born in a South Carolina zoo has sadly passed away after what officials have described as a “tragic accident.” The incident occurred at the Toronto Zoo, where the giraffe had been residing.

Kiko made history in 2012 as the first giraffe to be born at the Greenville Zoo in South Carolina. Later, he was relocated to the Toronto Zoo in Ontario, Canada, where he continued to live.

This past Thursday, Kiko, a Masai giraffe, was granted access to a new section of his off-exhibit habitat. Unfortunately, he became trapped in a doorway during this process.

The Toronto Zoo elaborated on the situation, stating, “Masai giraffes possess relatively fragile heads supported by a six-foot neck that can maneuver in various directions, allowing for quick shifts in head position.” Despite the staff’s swift actions, Kiko became alarmed and suffered injuries. Due to the distinct anatomy of giraffes, these injuries were irreparable.

A comprehensive examination of Kiko’s remains is planned, and the Toronto Zoo has initiated an investigation into the incident.

“While this appears to be a very tragic and unfortunate incident, as an accredited zoo, we will share the findings once the full investigation has concluded,” the zoo said Friday. “We are committed to learning from this tragedy and sharing any findings with our broader community, and we are determined to learn from this tragedy to prevent anything like it from occurring again.”

According to the zoo, Kiko had been receiving special care for a hoof/foot injury, which meant he had a tailored habitat and daily routine. This is a “normal routine” the Wildlife Care team has “done thousands of times without incident,” meaning Kiko’s death is impacting them “particularly hard.”

Masai giraffes were listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2018. It’s believed that roughly 43,000 Masai giraffe remain in the wild.

Kiko was selected to pair with female giraffe Mstari and had sired two calves. A third is due early this year, the Toronto Zoo said.

“While we mourn this significant loss, we are focused on supporting our team as well as Mstari as she is in the later stages of her pregnancy,” the Toronto Zoo said. “We ask that you please keep our staff and volunteers in your thoughts during this incredibly difficult time and join us in remembering and honouring Kiko – a magnificent giraffe who touched so many hearts.”

Nexstar’s Addy Bink contributed to this report.