GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) – A giraffe born at a South Carolina zoo has died following a “tragic accident,” according to officials.

Kiko became the first giraffe born at the Greenville Zoo in Greenville, South Carolina, in 2012, before being transferred to the Toronto Zoo in Ontario, Canada.

On Thursday, Kiko, a Masai giraffe, was “given access to an additional area of his behind-the-scenes habitat,” officials explained. He then became caught in an opening door.

“Masai giraffes have relatively delicate heads supported by a six-foot neck capable of moving forward, backward, up, down, and side to side, allowing their head position to shift quickly,” the Toronto Zoo explained. “Despite the team’s immediate response, Kiko panicked and sustained injuries that, due to the unique anatomy of his species, proved fatal.”

Kiko’s body will undergo a full exam, and an investigation has been launched at the Toronto Zoo.

“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.