Tulsa Zoo Officials Grilled About Deaths Of Two Giraffes

By Jeffrey Smith, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The federal government has begun its investigation into the death of a second giraffe at the Tulsa zoo.

Nine-year-old Amira died Sunday morning, likely from hypothermia.

Tuesday, zoo leaders had to answer some tough questions from City Council.

Agents with the Department of Agriculture are in Tulsa now. The Zoo Director says that's standard practice for a death of this magnitude but she admits some things at the zoo need to change.

1/11/2010 Related story: Tulsa Zoo Says Cold Weather A Suspected Factor In Death Of Second Giraffe

Two days after Amira's death, The investigation turns to the 25-year-old barn where she lived.

Now, Samburu has it all to himself. The Zoo's director admits the barn is not equipped to handle the needs of giraffes in extremely cold weather.

"We'll certainly have our staff look at all of their holding facilities, for, uh... cold air leakage. Looking at temperatures in those, uh, uh holding facilities, and uh... how we set our thermostats," Zoo Director Terrie Correll said.

Veterinarian Kay Backues, two vet techs and six keepers worked throughout the night, trying to warm up Amira's body.

They gave her a catheter, warm fluids, and set up extra heaters.

The barn's thermostat, usually set at 75 degrees, was blasted to the max, 90 degrees but cold air kept leaking into the barn, despite efforts to weatherproof the doors with plywood and hay.

Veterinarian Dr. Backues says the enclosure needs to go, "Renovation or complete replacement."

City councilors are now wondering if a sub-Saharan African animal belongs in the Sooner State.

"I have a three-year-old son, and he loves going to the zoo, and especially seeing the giraffes but, if we don't have a facility that can keep them alive, then we shouldn't be bringing any more giraffes here until we get a facility capable of doing so," said G.T. Bynum, Tulsa City Council.

The long-term goal is still to breed Samburu with a female. Councilor Bynum says he is not sure that should ever happen in Tulsa.

City Council is still investigating the death of Amali.She died in early December from a broken neck. That giraffe was three months pregnant.

The city's auditor should finish up his initial report on that death by Friday.

12/15/2009 Related story: Tulsa Zoo Giraffe Was Pregnant When She Died