Giraffe dies at the Houston Zoo

Neema, an 8-year-old Masai giraffe at the Houston Zoo, died May 21, 2015 of what the zoo is calling a "short, but aggressive illness." Neema fell sick just one week prior and had been under the care of zoo staff. Neema was the mother of one calf, Kamili, which was born in August 2014. less Neema, an 8-year-old Masai giraffe at the Houston Zoo, died May 21, 2015 of what the zoo is calling a "short, but aggressive illness." Neema fell sick just one week prior and had been under the care of zoo ... more Photo: Stephanie Adams | Houston Zoo Photo: Stephanie Adams | Houston Zoo Image 1 of / 5 Caption Close Giraffe dies at the Houston Zoo 1 / 5 Back to Gallery

At the Houston Zoo, an eight-year-old giraffe died last night of a fast-acting intestinal illness.

Zoo officials said in a press release that Neema, a Masai giraffe, began showing signs of sickness on May 14, and was immediately subjected to intensive medical care.

"Upon initial post-mortem review, we found that Neema had a complicated internal torsion, or 'twisted gut," said Dr. Joseph Flanagan, chief veterinarian at the Houston Zoo. "This is, unfortunately, an extreme and incurable condition in giraffes."

Neema was a member of a 10-giraffe herd and was beloved by zoo guests who enjoyed the popular giraffe feedings.

Houston Zoo CEO Deborah Cannon said, "The Houston Zoo team celebrates our animal births and mourns when an animal dies. We are all devastated by the loss of Neema. She was a treasured member of our extended family and she will be missed by everyone."