Giraffe At Zoo Atlanta Killed In Freak Accident

ATLANTA, GA — A 7-year-old giraffe at Zoo Atlanta was killed Monday after zookeepers say he got his neck stuck in a metal railing.

Zuberi, an adult reticulated giraffe, died Monday afternoon in the zoo's behind-the-scenes giraffe complex, the zoo announced Tuesday. Officials said Zuberi had just been checked out by members of his care team when part of his neck became wedged in a small space in a metal railing.

Officials said Zuberi and other members of his herd were very familiar with that area of their complex. An animal-care team, including veterinarians and large-mammal specialists, already were at the scene and responded quickly but were unable to save Zuberi, Zoo Atlanta said.

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"The Zoo Atlanta family, and especially those animal care team members who are with the giraffes daily, are deeply shocked and saddened by this tragic and unexpected loss," said Hayley Murphy, a veterinarian and vice president of the zoo's animal divisions.

"Our animal care and veterinary teams responded to the emergency right away, but despite their immediate and heroic efforts, were not able to save Zuberi."

Born Sept. 12, 2010 at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden in Columbia, S.C., Zuberi arrived at Zoo Atlanta in 2014. Officials say he was an important part of Zoo Atlanta's "bachelor herd" of four male giraffes.

The giraffes are not currently visible to guests as Zoo Atlanta works on a new habitat for them. An all-new African savanna exhibit is scheduled to open in early 2019.

He was "a special individual," Murphy said.

"We share the heartbreak of this event with the animal care professionals who knew him best and with our veterinary team, as well as our admiration for their outstanding commitment to Zuberi and to all the animals in our care."

In a news release, the zoo said safety checks on all animal areas are part of daily procedures. The zoo is "thoroughly reviewing" all areas used by the giraffes, the release said.

The other herd members — Abu, 12, Etana, 6, and Isoba, 6 — are behaving normally following Zuberi's death, the zoo said. They are not being allowed access to the area where the accident happened.

Photo courtesy Zoo Atlanta