A 15-year-old giraffe suffered an unexpected fall at the Dallas Zoo, resulting in a tragic end as the beloved giraffe was unable to recover from its injuries.
“We are saddened to announce the passing of Ferrell, a 15-year-old giraffe,” the Dallas Zoo posted on Facebook.
The zoo announced that Ferrell suffered a jaw injury in an unexpected fall inside the barn late Friday night, Dec. 29.
The zoo said its animal care and veterinary teams quickly assessed his condition and determined the injury required surgical evaluation.
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A 15-year-old giraffe was euthanized at the Dallas Zoo after it was predicted to fall. (Dallas Zoo)
The zoo said that during the procedure, the team discovered that he had dislocated his jaw in a way that could not be repaired surgically.
“Jaw dislocations are difficult to treat even in small animals, but the giraffe's size and anatomy precluded any reasonable repair. This meant that he would likely face restrictions on the use of his tongue, “requiring partial or complete amputation of his tongue in the future,'' the zoo said.
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Crystal, a mother giraffe, stands with her newborn calf at the Dallas Zoo. (Dallas Zoo)
The zoo announced that given the prognosis and the impact on Ferrell's quality of life, the team made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize the giraffe on New Year's Eve.
Unfortunately, this wasn't Ferrell's first jaw injury. The zoo posted that Ferrell injured his jaw more than 13 years ago and had problems with his tongue.
The zoo added that Ferrell did not have the ability to keep his tongue in his mouth, although he was able to use it. The new injury caused further damage to his tongue, severely limiting his continued use of it and making eating nearly impossible, the zoo said.
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A 131-pound giraffe was born at the Dallas Zoo on March 19th. (Dallas Zoo)
The zoo said: “We are all completely heartbroken by this sudden death. We ask that you please remember our staff as we go through this difficult time. Ferrell is a great memory for all who knew him. He will be greatly missed.”
