COLUMBUS — The Columbus Zoo says a baby giraffe has died just weeks after its birth.
The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium said the female calf, named Ubumwe, born Oct. 30 died Saturday morning.
The zoo says the calf’s behavior and appearance began to change Friday. She was examined and treated, appeared to be stable, then died after declining rapidly.
At this time, zoo officials said on the zoo’s Facebook page, the cause is unknown, and not more information will be available until a necropsy is conducted and a pathology report is received in several weeks.
A CT scan did not show a blockage or other reason for the calf’s discomfort that would warrant surgery. Zoo officials say she continued to receive intensive care from the zoo’s animal care professionals and remained in another behind-the-scenes area, where she appeared stable and comfortable overnight.
Early Saturday morning, her health unfortunately deteriorated rapidly once again, and she died at approximately 8:30 a.m.
The Columbus Dispatch reports that giraffes born in captivity have a 25 percent mortality rate.
Another Columbus Zoo giraffe, Cami, is expecting a calf soon.
A 4-year-old female giraffe died in April at the Toledo Zoo.