A giraffe at Banham Zoo in eastern England has been learning to use a specially designed inhaler after years of suffering from respiratory problems. The 16-year-old female reticulated giraffe, named Mahiri, was born in Germany as part of a European breeding program and has experienced chronic nasal issues for much of her life, according to the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Veterinary staff at Banham Zoo observed that Mahiri had significant mucus buildup in both nostrils. Despite treating her symptoms, they have not yet identified the underlying cause. Initially, Mahiri was given oral steroids, but this was not considered a sustainable long-term solution.
To address her condition, zoo staff developed an inhaler suitable for Mahiri’s size. “For the past three years, the zoo’s dedicated animal care and veterinary teams have worked patiently, day after day, to gently train Mahiri to accept treatment voluntarily,” the organization said. “This extraordinary level of trust means Mahiri can now take part in her own healthcare calmly and willingly, without the need for sedation or restraint — ensuring her comfort and dignity are always preserved.”
The team first created a nebulizer using a large jug with an opening for Mahiri’s head and attached containers to deliver medicated vapor. They gradually acclimated her to the device by encouraging her to eat from it before introducing medicated vapor closer each time.
“We knew it was going to be quite tricky because she is a very nervous animal and giraffes can be scared of their own shadow at times, so it was a very slow process,” one zookeeper said. “And what we decided, it was best to get her comfortable eating from the makeshift mask and when she got comfortable eating out of there we then moved the nebulizer closer and closer to her each time.”
Once she became used to the vapor treatment, staff introduced inhalers that delivered medication directly toward her nostrils. Over time, Mahiri progressed from receiving just a few puffs per day to ten puffs as she grew more comfortable with the procedure.
“This achievement is more than a veterinary first — it is a reflection of the compassion, expertise, and commitment that their staff bring to every animal in their care. Mahiri’s journey not only improves her own quality of life, but also contributes to advancing knowledge in giraffe healthcare worldwide,” according to the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
Next steps include collecting mucus and blood samples from Mahiri in hopes of diagnosing the root cause of her respiratory distress.
There are four distinct species of giraffes with an estimated 140,000 individuals remaining in the wild today. Their populations face threats due to shrinking habitats but they continue living across central, eastern, and southern Africa (https://giraffeconservation.org/).
Banham Zoo is located about 100 miles northeast of London.
