Giraffe calf dies at Dallas Zoo after breaking neck

Carolyn Cerbin | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Baby giraffe dies at Dallas Zoo after breaking neck The Dallas Zoo says a giraffe calf died after an accident in her enclosure. The giraffe, named Kipenzi, was born on April 10. Zookeepers say she hit something in the enclosure, breaking three vertebrae, and died shortly after.

The Dallas Zoo announced Tuesday evening that its newborn giraffe Kipenzi, whose April birth was watched live all over the world, has died.

The calf, whose name means "loved one" in Swahili, passed away after hitting the giraffe enclosure and breaking its neck, according to the zoo's Facebook page.

"We are devastated to share the tragic loss of our beloved giraffe calf, Kipenzi," the zoo statement read. "This evening as the giraffe herd was shifting inside for the night, Kipenzi began scampering around, as she loved to do. She made a sharp turn, and ran into the perimeter edge of the habitat. She broke three vertebra in her neck, and passed away immediately. Her mother, Katie, visited Kipenzi before veterinarians removed her."

The zoo said that Kipenzi was a "beacon of light for her species and for the millions who watched her birth live on Animal Planet" on April 10. Kipenzi's birth "brought attention to the plight of wild giraffes in Africa, helped raise more than $35,000 for giraffe conservation and sparked conversations about her incredibly majestic species."

"Kipenzi will always remain in our hearts, and while tears are flowing freely here tonight, we are eternally grateful for the millions of smiles she gave us all," zookeepers wrote.

The zoo encouraged those interested in donating in Kipenzi’s memory, to consider The Giraffe Conservation Foundation, their partner in protecting giraffes in Africa.