Giraffe Euthanized, Freak Zoo Accident

Photo: Ron Magill

Young giraffe euthanized after ‘freak accident’ at zoo - A young giraffe was euthanized at a Florida zoo on Tuesday following a “freak accident,” according to zoo officials.

Wesley the giraffe was born at Zoo Miami in May. He was euthanized Tuesday after he lodged his head between two poles and sustained a spinal injury, Zoo Miami said in a statement.

Wesley was being kept in a holding area when he squeezed his head between two poles that separated the holding area from the exhibit. He then panicked when his head became lodged between the poles, according to the statement.

The incident "caused an apparent spinal injury that eventually prevented him from being able to stand and maintain his equilibrium,” according to the zoo.

Zoo staff were able to free him from the polls within a few minutes, but he had already sustained a spinal injury.

Zoo Miami's veterinary team tried a variety of treatments following the incident, but over several hours Wesley continued to decline.

Ultimately, the zoo decided to euthanize the giraffe.

“Zoo staff is making immediate modifications to the area to prevent any such accident from happening again by closing any gaps that would allow an animal to lodge itself in a similar manner,” according to the zoo.