Masai Giraffe Dies At LA Zoo After Procedure To Deliver Stillborn Calf

A 12-year-old Masai giraffe died at the Los Angeles Zoo on Monday following a procedure to deliver her stillborn calf.

This is the second death of a zoo giraffe in the U.S. in less than seven weeks, the first being the death of a newborn calf at Nashville Zoo on Jan. 16.

A Facebook post by Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens (LA Zoo), mourning Hasina's death, read, "Because of an abnormal breech position within the womb, the calf had to be removed manually during an anesthetized procedure. Hasina had recovered from anesthesia and was doing well, eventually standing and beginning to eat. Still, her situation remained serious."

While Animal Health, Animal Care and other staff worked tirelessly to save the Hasina, the giraffe did not survive, the post added.

According to Dominique Keller, the zoo's chief veterinarian, Hasina was a healthy giraffe in her prime. "So we were hopeful that she would survive. Following the procedure, Hasina was standing on her own, which is a positive sign, but in the end, she may have been too weak from the experience," Keller said.

The zoo authorities said the calf would have been Hasina's sixth offspring.

"Having come to us from the San Diego Zoo in 2010, Hasina was a glorious and beloved ambassador for her species and she was instrumental in adding to the sustainable population of endangered Masai giraffes in human care," the zoo's Facebook post added.

LA Zoo has four other giraffes, namely Phillip, Zainabu, Sofie and James.

The Masai, the largest subspecies of giraffe, is originally from Kenya. It has patterns that look like oak leaves. Masai giraffes survive for 20 to 27 years under human care and can grow up to 17 feet high and weigh 2,600 pounds. They have been listed as endangered species due to diseases, illegal hunting and habitat loss.

In January, Nashville Zoo witnessed the death of a baby Masai giraffe after being stepped on by Nasha, their mother. Thousands of people watched the baby's birth via livestream. Although Nasha developed complications, the vet team managed to successfully deliver her baby. Unfortunately, she inadvertently stepped on the calf's neck.