[ad_1]
DALLAS – The Dallas Zoo mourns the loss of a 3-month-old giraffe calf after suffering a catastrophic injury.
Zoo officials say Marekani was seen walking with a limp on Saturday but entered the barn with the rest of the herd as usual.
A team observed Marekani and her mother, Chrystal, and performed a visual examination. They found no injuries, severe swelling, or deviations in the leg at that time.
By the next morning, Marekani’s swelling and lameness had worsened. Vets determined that she had dislocated her right elbow and fractured her radius and ulna, which are almost impossible to repair.
“Unfortunately, injuries like this are catastrophic for giraffes, and there was no hope of a cure,” the zoo said in a Facebook post. “Given this prognosis, the team made the incredibly difficult decision to humanely euthanize Marekani on Sunday.”
It is still unclear how the 3-month-old calf was injured.
“As with any event like this, we will take the opportunity to assess every element of the situation and identify what changes we can make to avoid future incidents,” the zoo said. “Although she has only been with us for a short time, Marekani has captured the hearts of zoo staff, guests and the public. She will be sadly missed.”
Marekani was born at the zoo on July 4. She was Chrystal’s third calf.
PREVIOUS STORIES
Dallas Zoo giraffe calf born July 4 makes public debut
Dallas Zoo giraffe gives birth on July 4
[ad_2]
Source link