Zoo Announces Death Of Second Giraffe

Zookeepers at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore are mourning the death of a second giraffe.

Juma, 5, mother of 9-month-old Willow, had been in treatment for an unknown illness, but died overnight in the Giraffe House Tuesday, zoo officials said.

“This has been a year of ups and downs with our giraffe herd,”zoo president and CEO Don Hutchinson said in a statement. “We are feeling the loss of Juma deeply, while knowing that the staff has put their best efforts into caring for her during the past many weeks. She will be greatly missed.”

In July, month-old Julius was euthanized after he failed to thrive, despite plasma transfusions, antibiotics and other intensive measures taken by veterinarians.

Juma started having gastro-intestinal problems earlier this year, zoo officials say, and was unable to gain weight after a second episode.

“The Giraffe House team did an amazing job supporting her and encouraging her to consume the grain and hay that made up her primary diet, as well as the browse and produce that were her favorites, and special food items for weight gain," Dr. Ellen Bronson, director of animal health, conservation and research, said. "However, she never regained condition and continued to lose weight despite their best efforts.”

As with Julius, Bronson said, they consulted with veterinarians and nutritionists elsewhere. A necropsy will be performed, but results are several weeks away. In the meantime, they expect Juma's daughter to adapt.

“Willow has been weaned for a few months now, and is nicely integrated into the herd,” said Erin Cantwell, the zoo's mammal collection and conservation manager. “She may initially notice that Juma isn’t there, however she will continue to be with ‘aunties’ Anuli and Kesi and we don’t expect there to be any issues within the herd structure as time passes.”