TULSA, OK,
— With sadness the Tulsa Zoo announces the death of Amali, the five-year-old female giraffe, during a procedure to determine the extent of her recent neck injury.
The Tulsa Zoo is awaiting results from the initial necropsy to determine the cause of her death. Additionally, tissue samples will be sent for microscopic examination to assist in the final diagnosis.
Amali suffered a neck injury during transport from her home zoo in Ohio October 18. Her injury was immediately noted by zoo staff as she exited the specialized trailer she arrived in.
Initially she was treated for a possible soft tissue injury but the condition of her neck worsened.
“It became evident in the last few weeks the misalignment of her neck was becoming more severe; but without X-rays we could not determine the exact nature of the neck injury we were trying to treat, or if any treatment would be helpful,” said Dr. Kay Backues, Tulsa Zoo Veterinarian. “This procedure involved risk. Our responsibility was to exhaust treatment options, and without X-rays, we couldn’t diagnose the injury or prognosis for Amali’s life”, said Dr. Backues.
A small team of veterinary specialists from Oklahoma State Veterinary Health Sciences were gathered Thursday, December 3, to assist in the efforts, including an equine surgeon, a radiologist and other veterinarians who work in exotic animal care to help get the X-ray films and review the findings.
Amali entered the restraint chute smoothly and her vital signs remained stable during sedation and while X-rays were taken. When the procedure ended, her condition deteriorated and she died despite emergency treatment efforts.
The X-rays obtained confirmed the seriousness of the injury.
“Amali had actually broken the growth plate on the front or cranial end of her fourth cervical vertebrae,” said Dr. Backues, “Her powerful neck ligaments had been slowly pulling the unstable fracture out of alignment to a point that her C3 and C4 cervical vertebrae were at a 90 degree angle to each other.”
“The fact that Amali showed no signs of neurologic impairment and could walk, eat, and move normally despite this abnormal alignment is truly amazing,” said Dr. Backues.
“The prognosis for such an injury was grave and surgical correction would have had a poor chance of success with her spinal cord in such a precarious position,” said Backues, “it is very unlikely she would have lived a normal life-span”.
The Tulsa Zoo staff and those who assisted with the efforts to save Amali are mourning her loss.
“She was a truly remarkable animal,” says Terrie Correll, Tulsa Zoo Director, “her courage touched each and every one of us. This turn of events is truly heartbreaking for everyone here.”
