Zoo officials said Maka had lived a remarkable life despite being diagnosed with chromosomal abnormalities at age 5. After brief recent seizures, he was brought in for a comprehensive exam this week and suffered an unexpected cardiac event. Despite sustained efforts by veterinary staff, he could not be revived. His troopmates, Ekuba and Denny, were given time with Maka after his passing - "a reminder that connection and loss are universal languages," the zoo said.
Kalluk, who far outlived the 15-18 year average for male polar bears in the wild, was remembered as a calm, inquisitive presence and an ambassador for his species. Over two decades he contributed to research on polar bear physiology, sensory perception, and adaptation - work the zoo says is helping global conservationists understand how the species navigates a rapidly changing Arctic.
Nicky's death marks the end of an era for San Diego’s giraffe herd. Arriving in 1999, she spent 26 years at the zoo, served as herd matriarch, and raised five calves - including her son Chifu, who made Nicky a grandmother just last month with the birth of Madoadoa. The zoo called Nicky a "powerful ambassador" who forged connections between guests and the natural world. Masai giraffes are native to Kenya and are listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Together, the three losses have shaken staff and supporters, with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance calling this one of its most challenging periods in recent memory. The organization asked for understanding as wildlife care teams grieve while continuing their work with more than 12,000 animals across the Zoo and Safari Park.
It’s also been a turbulent year operationally: earlier this spring, some zoo workers signaled readiness to strike amid contentious contract talks, and leadership changes followed the departure of the organization’s CEO. For now, the focus is on remembrance - honoring Maka’s quiet leadership, Kalluk’s scientific legacy, and Nicky’s multigenerational impact on a species fighting for its future.
Kalluk, who far outlived the 15-18 year average for male polar bears in the wild, was remembered as a calm, inquisitive presence and an ambassador for his species. Over two decades he contributed to research on polar bear physiology, sensory perception, and adaptation - work the zoo says is helping global conservationists understand how the species navigates a rapidly changing Arctic.
Nicky's death marks the end of an era for San Diego’s giraffe herd. Arriving in 1999, she spent 26 years at the zoo, served as herd matriarch, and raised five calves - including her son Chifu, who made Nicky a grandmother just last month with the birth of Madoadoa. The zoo called Nicky a "powerful ambassador" who forged connections between guests and the natural world. Masai giraffes are native to Kenya and are listed as endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Together, the three losses have shaken staff and supporters, with the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance calling this one of its most challenging periods in recent memory. The organization asked for understanding as wildlife care teams grieve while continuing their work with more than 12,000 animals across the Zoo and Safari Park.
It’s also been a turbulent year operationally: earlier this spring, some zoo workers signaled readiness to strike amid contentious contract talks, and leadership changes followed the departure of the organization’s CEO. For now, the focus is on remembrance - honoring Maka’s quiet leadership, Kalluk’s scientific legacy, and Nicky’s multigenerational impact on a species fighting for its future.
For more information on the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, visit sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org.
Originally published on August 19, 2025.
