16 December 2023 , 01:24
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A baby giraffe has died after being "unexpectedly startled" and hitting his head on a gate at a zoo in North Carolina, US.
The giraffe called Fenn, died on Wednesday after being startled by another giraffe. An obituary on the zoo's website reads: “The North Carolina Zoo is heartbroken to announce the untimely death of Fenn, the beloved six-month-old giraffe calf, whose birth and presence at the Zoo delighted individuals around the world."
The statement added: “A grief counsellor has been brought in to support staff members.” Fenn was born in the zoo on May 20 to first-time giraffe mum Leia, 14, and bull giraffe Jack, 15.
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Baby giraffes are called calfs (AFP/Getty Images)
Another baby giraffe like Fenn (AFP/Getty Images)The zoo wrote on Thursday: “Fenn was an energetic and vibrant addition to the giraffe herd (or tower) and quickly became a cherished member of the Zoo community. His playful antics and charming nature endeared him to staff and visitors alike.”
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The zoo, based in Asheboro, claims to be the world’s largest natural habitat zoo, with more than 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants.
Fenn was nursing when another giraffe unwittingly bumped into him causing the baby girafe to bolt. As he ran into a nearby gate. The zoo said he “sustained head and neck trauma from the fall.” Vets were drafted in, who desperately tried to save him but could do it. Despite the best efforts of vets, the baby giraffe died later that evening.
Giraffes play at Chester Zoo (AFP/Getty Images)Writing on their website, a representative of the zoo wrote: “The North Carolina Zoo family is shocked and devastated by Fenn’s tragic death. Staff members, particularly the caretakers who formed a special bond with him since his birth, ask for respect and privacy during their time of grief.”
Fenn was named after a public poll with more than 100,000 people voting. The zoo said he "will be remembered with fondness and love by all who knew him.
Sadly Fenn isn't the first giraffe to die at an American zoo this year. Giraffes Penelope and Zuri died mysteriously at Cameron Park Zoo in Waco in October. The cause of death for Penelope was listed as muscle trauma that arose as exertional rhabdomyolysis - which the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says is the "breakdown of skeletal muscle as a result of excessive physical training, work, or exercise."
In severe cases, the medical issue can lead to kidney failure, cardiac arrest and a change in the levels of metabolites in the blood. Muscle stiffness is also a common problem.
“Despite medical treatment, mum Penelope’s condition rapidly led to difficulty transitioning from lying down to standing up. In large animals such as giraffes, the inability to stand can lead to a multitude of issues, including further muscle damage, aspiration of stomach contents, and gastrointestinal disease,” said Cameron Zoo, as reported by KWTX.