SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The Sacramento Zoo says a Masai giraffe calf died shortly after being delivered Monday night.
According to a news release, first-time mother Amirah successfully carried and delivered her calf but it was ‘not viable.’
The zoo says Amirah is healthy and is under observation by animal care and veterinary staff. She will return to the herd soon.
"I am beyond proud of our Zoo staff and their commitment to the animals we care for here at the Sacramento Zoo,” said Melissa McCartney, Senior Manager of Animal Care and Veterinary Health Services at the Sacramento Zoo. “While the loss of any animal is heartbreaking to our zoo family, we are grateful for the support of our community as we continue the important work of protecting wild giraffes and providing exceptional care to the giraffe herd at the Sacramento Zoo. On behalf of the Zoo’s animal care and vet teams, we are appreciative of everyone's compassion as we process this loss."
Amirah is one of four female Masai giraffes at the zoo, which also has one male Masai giraffe and one female reticulated giraffe.
