The Dallas Zoo will add cameras inside its giraffe habitat and alter the exhibit’s terrain after an injury caused a 3-month-old calf to be euthanized earlier this month.
Marekani was euthanized on Oct. 3 after zoo staff found multiple, nearly irreparable fractures in her leg. The zoo announced Monday on Facebook that its investigation found that Marekani was injured as she ran along an inclined section of her habitat in the Giants of the Savanna with a few adult giraffes.
One of her front legs planted in the ground at the top of an incline, hyperextending it. An adult giraffe wasn’t able to stop fast enough and ran into Marekani from behind, causing the fractures in her leg, the zoo said.
The zoo said it will add substrate material — typically rock, soil and other natural elements — to areas of the giraffe habitat that experienced erosion, and it will install cameras inside the exhibit so staff can have a better view of animal interactions. The changes were decided after consulting with experts from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which the zoo is accredited through.
A camera system would not have prevented Marekani’s injury but will provide caretakers with “a valuable tool for monitoring animal interactions and behavior” in the future, the zoo said.
In the wild, giraffe calves have about a 50% chance of living through their first year of life. While that risk is reduced in captivity, all infant animals are inherently fragile, and putting calves in an exhibit with adult animals does come with risks, staff previously told The Dallas Morning News.
“The Dallas Zoo provides the most naturalistic environments possible for our animals, which has so many benefits for both their physical and mental well-being,” the zoo’s post said. “Unfortunately, those natural surroundings have inherent risks, just as they do in the wild.”
The zoo also announced the passing of an adult giraffe, a 19-year-old named Auggie. The zoo said Auggie passed away from age-related issues that led to liver failure.
“Affectionately known as ‘Uncle Auggie’ because of how sweet and gentle he always was with new calves, he will be missed by all of us,” the zoo said on Facebook. “Death is an inevitable part of zoo life, but we believe sharing these stories — both the good and the sad — helps you stay connected to the animals you know and love.”
