Zoo Giraffe Dies

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.