A young male giraffe died after he was injured in a freak accident at Zoo Miami, a spokesman said.
Wesley, born at the zoo in May, was euthanized Tuesday after suffering a spinal injury that prevented him from being able to stand and maintain his equilibrium, the zoo said Wednesday.
“He lodged his head between two posts, panicked and caused an apparent spinal injury,” the zoo spokesman said.
Wesley was on exhibit when he turned back to observe what was happening to another giraffe that was being examined in the holding area.
He squeezed through the two posts that were separating the exhibit from the holding area, but got stuck when he lowered his neck, the spokesman said.
“Though the staff was able to dislodge him from the holding area within a few minutes, it was to late to prevent significant injury to the giraffe,” the zoo said in an email release. “This is the first accident of its kind in the zoo’s history.”
After several attempts to treat Wesley, the zoo made the decision to euthanize the young giraffe due to “consistent and dramatic decline in his condition,” the zoo said.
Wesley was the 48th giraffe born at the zoo and was living with six other giraffes, which made up one of the most popular attractions.
“The giraffe feeding experience is definitely one of, if not the most popular attraction at the zoo,” said Zoo Communications Director Ron Magill.
Zoo staff are making modifications to closed any gaps that would allow an animal to lodge itself in a similar manner, the zoo said. Zoo management is also examining areas throughout the rest of the zoo to make sure other animals aren’t exposed to a similar danger.
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