Newborn Giraffe Dies

Tupelo Buffalo Park and Zoo

Press Release

December 5, 2012

It is with great sadness that the Tupelo Buffalo Park announces the death of the newborn giraffe calf.

He died Wednesday morning following complications that arose on Monday.

The calf appeared weak Monday morning and further investigations revealed he had not nursed throughout the night. With assistance from local vets, the calf was given fluids and milk supplement, but conditions did not improve. Gastrointestinal issues were thought to be a problem.  After consultation with leading Zoological veterinarians, the choice was made to move the calf to the Mississippi State University College of Veterinary Medicine for further testing. After much care, the calf looked to be improving during the day on Tuesday, but complications arose that evening and he passed away in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

The Tupelo Buffalo Park would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to help these past few days. We want to thank the MSU Vet School for the care they administered, our local veterinarians for their tremendous help on Monday, and the Zoological veterinarians we consulted who offered such great advice and guidance these past few days.

The calf was born early Friday, November 30th to the park’s Reticulated Giraffe pair, Tall Boy and Patches.  This was their 7th calf to be born at the park; their 4th boy.

Categories: Local News

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