Kendi, a 4-year-old male reticulated giraffe at the Milwaukee County Zoo, has made history by successfully undergoing a groundbreaking surgery for a unique breeding injury. Kendi sustained the injury while attempting to breed with Maya, a 6-year-old female.The zoo's animal care team discovered Kendi's injury, a lacerated and infected prepuce, on April 2.According to the zoo, Kendi's injury is believed to be the first of its kind in giraffes. The zoo’s animal care team initially tried pain medication, antibiotics, and topical treatment to manage Kendi’s injury, but these methods were ineffective. Anesthesia was necessary for a thorough assessment. However, giraffe immobilizations pose significant challenges due to their large size and unique physiology. Kendi, standing nearly 14 feet tall and weighing almost 2,000 pounds, required careful planning and expert coordination. With reticulated giraffes listed as Endangered by the IUCN Red List, this incident required particular attention.The procedure, never before performed on a giraffe, required collaboration across multiple institutions and veterinary disciplines. Veterinary specialists from institutions including the UW-Madison School of Veterinary Medicine, Henry Vilas Zoo, and Kettle Moraine Equine Hospital joined forces. The team devised a plan that addressed anesthesia, surgery, and recovery. Modifications to the Giraffe Barn ensured a safe environment for immobilization. The entire procedure, including anesthesia, took approximately two hours. Kendi is recovering well and is expected to make a full recovery.