She might be developing a bald patch and her eyelashes are going grey, but 30-year-old giraffe Mutangi has still maintained her cheeky side.
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Mutangi, who will turn 31 in October, is currently the oldest giraffe in captivity.
She was the first calf to be born at Taronga Western Plains Zoo and now lives with her daughter, granddaughter and great-granddaughter.
Mutangi is one of the Dubbo giraffes who will be celebrated on World Giraffe Day on Monday.
World Giraffe Day is held on June 21. In the southern hemisphere, the world's tallest animal is celebrated on the longest night of the year.
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Keeper Bobby-Jo Vial said it was quite a privilege to work with the elderly giraffe.
"She's probably my favourite giraffe to work with. We have a good relationship. It's a transactional relationship, so it's based on food, but trust as well. Being a herd animal it takes a long time to earn a giraffe's trust," Ms Vial said.
To put Mutangi's age into perspective, Ms Vial said a giraffe in the wild was lucky if it surpassed its teens, and some of the oldest giraffes in Dubbo only reached their mid-20s.
"The reason she did get to 30 is not just us keepers but her veterinary team, the maintenance teams who look after her enclosure, there are so many people who play a part in getting an animal to that age and in good health," the keeper said.
Mutangi is the queen of her herd. And because of her age, she gets access to all of the VIP areas, like a night yard where she can rest.
She has arthritis, and her grooming is not as it should be, so the keepers have been working with her so she'll allow them to brush her with a horse brush.
"Mutangi has a lot of character. She's quite cheeky and she's always up for a challenge. Even though she's almost 31 we're always doing new things with her. The training we provide her, a lot of cooperative behaviors allow us to take care of her better," Ms Vial said.
She said Mutangi was also the first giraffe to greet her every morning.
"She's usually looking for food," Ms Vial said.
For World Giraffe Day on Monday, Mutangi will be getting a few extra treats and added attention.
Dubbo residents are encouraged to visit the zoo on the day to learn more about giraffes.
Beads can also be purchased from the gift shop to support the Northern Rangelands Trust.
World Giraffe Day was started by the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
More information about World Giraffe Day can be found at giraffeconservation.org.
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