A giraffe was euthanized Sunday at the Dallas Zoo after a fall that left it with a disabling and inoperable wound on its jaw.
Ferrell, 15, fell in his barn on Friday. After surgery, veterinarians and the keeper team discovered that the animal had dislocated its jaw in a way that could not be repaired with surgery, the zoo announced on its Facebook page.
“Jaw dislocations, even in the smallest animals, are difficult to treat, but a giraffe’s size and anatomy preclude reasonable repair,” the post reads.
The team said the injury would have significantly limited the giraffe’s use of its jaw and tongue, as future surgery would likely require amputation of part or all of the tongue.
“Given the prognosis and impact on Ferrell’s quality of life, the team had to make the incredibly difficult decision to humanely euthanize Ferrell on Sunday, December 31,” he also wrote.
The zoo added that the animal had previously suffered a jaw injury 13 years ago due to a tongue problem. Ferrell could use it, but he couldn’t keep it in his mouth. After the second injury, feeding him would have been nearly impossible, the zoo added.
“This sudden loss has completely broken our hearts. We kindly ask that you think of your staff at this difficult time. Ferrell will be greatly missed by all who knew him,” the publication concludes.
The post garnered more than 280 supportive comments and nearly 210 shares on Facebook.
2024-01-02 03:38:52
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