Tulsa Zoo Giraffe Was Pregnant When She Died

By Emory Bryan, The News On 6

TULSA, OK -- The director of the Tulsa Zoo told city council members Tuesday morning the 5-year-old female giraffe that died earlier this month was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time of her death.

Tulsa Zoo director Terrie Correll said Amali's pregnancy was discovered during a necropsy.

"We were not aware of the pregnancy, but it was not a factor in her death," said Dr. Kay Backues, Tulsa Zoo Veterinarian.

The giraffe died while under anesthesia after X-rays were obtained December 3rd to determine the extent of her neck injury and whether anything could be done to intervene.

A complete post-mortem, or necropsy, exam was performed after her death. The results confirmed the X-ray findings that she had broken the front growth plate of the C-5 vertebrae, according to a release from the Tulsa Zoo.

There was also extensive muscle damage and necrosis from the misalignment of her neck. The movement allowed by the fracture and the joint permitted the C4 and C5 vertebrae to be pulled out of alignment almost 90 degrees.

Though her spinal cord was not being pinched, it was following the tract of the vertebrae and making a 90 degree turn, according to the news release. The spinal cord had moved as far as it could go without being impinged.

"I feel that now that we've seen the injury on X-rays and necropsy that spinal cord impingement was imminent," said Dr. Backues.

The immediate cause of death was cardiopulmonary arrest from shock. The necropsy also showed the giraffe was in a very early stage of pregnancy, according to the Tulsa Zoo.

Terrie Correll says the final necropsy report has been sent to the USDA.

Read the news release from the Tulsa Zoo.

Tulsa Zoo officials said the giraffe's injured neck happened during transport, and they will never know what happened.

When transporting animals, the transport company must stop every four hours to check on the animals, per USDA guidelines. The zoo does not have the documentation about the trip showing what actually happened. The zoo isn't sure how long it will take to get final report from the USDA.

The company that transported the giraffe from an Ohio zoo reported no incident which could have caused the neck injury during the 48-hour trip. 

At least one Tulsa city councilor expressed skepticism of that report and another city councilor feels the transport company is liable and should be held financially responsible.  Councilors also urged the Tulsa Zoo to file an insurance claim against the transport company. 

Terrie Correll says the Tulsa Zoo did not look inside the transport trailer when the giraffe arrived for clues into what happened.

12/4/2009 Related story: Young Giraffe At Tulsa Zoo Dies

Amali suffered a neck injury during transport from her home zoo in Ohio on October 18th.

The city council wants Tulsa Zoo officials to give them an updated report in 30 days.