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EXPLORE: ZOO BEAR MEETS HOMEMADE SNOW WIN THIS RAFFLE AND SHADOW A ZOO VET FOR A DAY STEER YOUR CAR INTO NORTH AMERICA ANIMALS WILL POUND PUMPKINS ON HALLOWEEN WHO'S COMING TO THE ZOO? ZOO VET WINS LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD WHAT'S TALL AND SMALL AT THE SAME TIME? GIRAFFE CALVES GO ON EXHIBIT A TREE GROWS IN MY YARD? WHAT HAS 8 LEGS AND LONG EYELASHES? I KNOW ART BOX TURTLES TAKE TO THE ROADS GIRAFFE NECROPSY COMPLETED ZOO GIRAFFE DIES BEAR CUBS ON EXHIBIT ZOOCOOL LIVING WITH SNAKES NO DOGS, PLEASE! TWO CUTE HARBOR SEALS GRIZZLY BEAR SPECIAL TWO CUTE! SPEND EARTH DAY WEEKEND AT THE ZOO FROGGIE, FROGGIE DAYS - APRIL 26-27 TORT AND THE ALDABRAS - COMING SOON! SSSSSSUCH FUN PLANNED! UPDATE: BAGHDAD ZOO LEAP YEAR FUN THREE NEW ELEPHANTS ARRIVE AT THE ZOO! NEW ELEPHANT BEE 'N BEARS SNAKE WALK SIX RHINOS GET OUT'A LINE KIDZONE! PRE-SCHOOL AMERICAN CHESTNUT WOLF AWARE NEWS ARCHIVE AN AVIARY GUIDE CAUTION! SAVE A SNOT-OTTER 4-STAR RANKING THANKS, FROM A FROG BEE A BEAR'S STILL BUZZIN' |
Zoo Giraffe Dies08/15/2008
The bull, who was named Azog, was
born at the N.C. Zoo. He was one of two adult giraffes in the Zoo’s
collection. Thursday morning keepers noticed that he was having urinary difficulties
and called in Zoo veterinarians to diagnose the
problem.
The Zoo's Chief Veterinarian Dr. Mike Loomis determined that a kidney stone had blocked Azog's urinary tract and would eventually kill him unless it was removed. The veterinary team began emergency surgery around noon. After more than two hours of surgery, the team had still not reached the stone. Azog died under anesthesia around 2:30 p.m. Dr. Loomis has anesthetized more than a dozen giraffes over the years, and Azog was the first one to die during the procedure. Dr. Loomis stated that he knew the surgery would be risky. Giraffes' respiratory systems respond poorly to anesthesia and complications are common. But, because death was certain without surgery, Dr. Loomis shouldered the risks in an effort to save Azog’s life. The veterinary staff performed a necropsy on Azog Thursday evening to confirm the cause of his death. The final result of the medical tests conducted at the necropsy will not be available for several days. Meanwhile, the Zoo’s other adult giraffe, Julie, remains in good health and will continue to be on exhibit. At the ripe old age of 32, Julie is one of the five oldest giraffes living in an American zoo. In a related development, two 10-month-old male giraffes will arrive at the N.C. Zoo on September 6. Both youngsters were born in Colorado. Terry Webb, the Zoo's Curator of Mammals, arranged to bring in the two young giraffes earlier this year, before Azog exhibited any symptoms. The two youngsters will undergo a mandatory 30-day quarantine period before they go on exhibit at the Zoo. |