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Giraffe calf back at Franklin Park Zoo after going to Tufts for intensive care
“They will remain behind the scenes during this time, but guests can still congratulate the proud papa, Chad, in Giraffe Savannah," the zoo said.
A giraffe calf returned to Franklin Park Zoo after being brought to Tufts’ large animal hospital two days after his birth, Zoo New England announced.
The endangered Masai giraffe, who was unable to nurse after his birth, returned to the zoo on Aug. 19 from Tufts University’s Hospital for Large Animals after his health improved, according to the zoo.
He is currently being bottle fed by an animal care team while the team works to reintroduce the calf to his mother, the zoo said.
“Such reintroductions can be very challenging, so we’re following their lead and taking it slow,” the announcement said.
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The 167-pound calf was born Aug. 7 to nine-year-old mother Amari, and appeared healthy at first. However, failed attempts at nursing within the first 24 hours alarmed the calf’s caretakers, the zoo said in an announcement on Aug. 12.
“The first hours are a critical time for the calf to start bonding with its mother and receive nourishing food and critical antibodies from her colostrum, or the first milk,” Dr. Brianne Phillips, associate veterinarian at Zoo New England, said in the announcement. “Without acquiring these antibodies, the calf’s immune system may not develop properly to deal with routine bacteria and disease.”
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After the veterinary team’s attempts to bottle-feed the calf failed, caretakers chose to transfer the calf to Tufts’ Hospital for Large Animals at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the zoo said.
The calf, who also had diarrhea and mild pneumonia, received a plasma transfusion and IV treatments while at Tufts, Zoo New England said Aug. 14.
Tufts’ specialists said Aug. 14 the calf showed “significant improvement” in feeding and hydration as well as his attitude and activity.
Masai giraffes were once the most common giraffe species, but only about 45,400 remain in their natural habitats in central and southern Kenya, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.
The calf and his mother “will remain behind the scenes during this time, but guests can still congratulate the proud papa, Chad, in Giraffe Savannah,” the zoo said.
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