Community Corner

Julius The Baby Giraffe Dies After Health Battle

The one-month-old giraffe calf was euthanized Saturday at the Maryland Zoo, where officials say they hope to learn from his condition.

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BALTIMORE, MD - A month after his birth, Julius the giraffe has died, following an uphill battle to receive nutrients needed in the early stages of his life.

The reticulated giraffe was born June 15 and was euthanized July 15 at the Maryland Zoo, officials reported Saturday.

Since birth, Julius had been unable to nurse effectively. Within his first few days of life, blood work showed Julius was not receiving vital antibodies, and staff tried to teach the calf to bottle feed.

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He received two plasma transfusions, antibiotics and IV treatments in an attempt to bolster his immune system. Plasma was rushed in from the Columbus Zoo in Ohio and the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado.

Zoo officials described the prognosis as "dim" Friday evening after Julius had stopped feeding.

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"His condition took a sharp turn downward overnight, and we had to make the difficult condition to humanely euthanize him," Samantha Sander, associate veterinarian at the Maryland Zoo, said in a statement Saturday afternoon. "This is certainly not the outcome we were hoping for, but we rest assured that we did everything we possibly could medically to prevent him from any distress."

Zoo officials said they hope to learn from his case what underlying factors may have contributed to his condition.

"Despite intensive medical interventions, tube feeding and around-the-clock care, Julius remained a critical patient," Sander said.

"A necropsy will be done to try and determine what put Julius at this health deficit from the beginning. Sometimes there are underlying issues that are not able to be identified or solved by even the best science and skill," according to Sander. "Julius's short life will help gain vast knowledge not only for us, but for other facilities as we all continue to face similar issues in our efforts to save and safeguard this species."
So many people cared for and about the giraffe calf that the Maryland Zoo has created a tribute page for Julius where the public can leave messages.
"We would like to thank the thousands of people from around the world who have sent positive thoughts and prayers to Julius and the staff here at the zoo," Maryland Zoo President/CEO Don Hutchinson said in a statement Saturday. "The outpouring of support has indeed bolstered everyone at the zoo, and most especially the people who have been working directly with Julius and the rest of the giraffe herd through this very trying time."
Said Hutchinson: "It's hard to put our emotions into words right now. Our veterinary staff and our animal care team put their lives on hold to try and nurse Julius back to health, and every avenue was explored. Sadly, he was unable to survive in spite of their Herculean efforts."

Photo courtesy of the Maryland Zoo.

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