A beloved giraffe died at an upstate New York zoo after its long neck got stuck inside the enclosure’s gate.
Parker was a 6-year-old giraffe and one of the main attractions at Rochester’s Seneca Park Zoo. On Sunday morning, the animal was found unresponsive by the staff after its neck got trapped in the gate of its enclosure.
While the veterinarians were immediately called to the scene, Parker couldn’t be resuscitated and was pronounced dead on the scene.
According to zoo officials, the accident could not be predicted whereas similar gates are installed in zoos all around the nation.
“The possibility of this kind of event happening was unforeseen and unprecedented,” Zoo Superintendent Steve Lacy said.
Parker arrived at the Rochester zoo in 2018. In his enclosure were two other giraffes, Iggy and Kipenzi, and later Parker’s offspring Olmsted.
“Our priority is the health and wellbeing of our animals and any major event can certainly affect them,” Chris McKinney, a veterinarian at the Seneca Park Zoo, said after the tragic news.
“So far, all three giraffes, Iggy, Kipenzie, and Olmsted, are doing well. We will continue to monitor them closely in the coming days.”
Following Parker’s unexpected and sudden passing, the zoo was closed until Monday, whereas staff who were close to the giraffe were encouraged to talk to counselors that will be made available throughout this week.
The loss of Parker comes just months after the giraffe’s second son passed away at the age of just three weeks. According to the zoo officials, the animal was put down humanely after it was born with abnormalities.
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