Baby Giraffe Dies in Freak Accident

MIAMI, FL — Staff members at Zoo Miami are mourning the loss of Wesley, the 48th giraffe ever born at the facility.

According to zoo officials, Wesley had to be euthanized on Tuesday after he managed to get his head stuck between two posts, panicked over the development and damaged his spinal cord.

Wesley had been out on exhibit Tuesday while another giraffe was undergoing a procedure, the zoo announced on its website. When the little male returned to the holding area, he was curious about what was happening with the giraffe being examined, the post explained.

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Trying to get a better view, “He was able to squeeze his head between two posts that were separating the exhibit from the holding area,” the post explained. “Though the staff was able to dislodge him within a few minutes, it was too late to prevent significant injury to the giraffe.”

Medical staff worked on Wesley for several hours, but were unable to stop the rapid decline in his condition, the zoo said. The damage ultimately stopped Wesley from being able to stand up or maintain his equilibrium.

A necropsy is planned to determine the extent of the injury.

While Wesley’s accident was a first of its kind at the zoo, officials say they are taking steps to prevent a repeat incident. “Immediate modifications” are being made to the holding area to prevent any animal from lodging itself in a similar fashion.

Wesley was born at the zoo in May 2015.

Zoo staff members “are very sad that this occurred,” spokeswoman Cindy Castelblanco told Patch.

For more information about Zoo Miami, visit its website.

Photo of Wesley and his mother by Ron Magil courtesy of Zoo Miami