Ferrell, a 15-year-old reticulated giraffe at the Dallas Zoo, was euthanized on Sunday following surgery aimed at repairing an injured jaw sustained in an unexpected fall.
According to the zoo's statement, Ferrell suffered the injury after an unforeseen fall in the barn. Veterinary consultation led to the decision to proceed with surgery, but during the procedure, it was discovered that Ferrell's jaw dislocation was so severe that repair was deemed impossible. The zoo explained that treating jaw dislocations in animals can be challenging, and the giraffe's size and anatomy posed significant hindrances to any viable repair.
Due to the severe nature of the injury, Ferrell faced limited use of his jaw and tongue, making it nearly impossible for him to eat. Faced with this prognosis and its impact on Ferrell's quality of life, the zoo's team made the difficult decision to humanely euthanize him on December 31.
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Expressing their grief, the zoo stated, "The sudden loss of Ferrell has left us completely heartbroken," and requested thoughts for the staff as they navigate through this challenging time.
Prior to Ferrell's passing, the Dallas Zoo housed a herd of six adult reticulated giraffes. The remaining giraffes are Tebogo, Katie, Chrystal, Five, and Kendi. In March, Chrystal gave birth to a baby girl named Kora, and the zoo shared heartwarming moments of Tebogo and half-sister Nea watching the calf from a distance after her birth.
With Ferrell's death, the Dallas Zoo has lost six giraffes in the past decade, including Jesse, Auggie, and Marekani in October 2021, Witten in June 2019, and Kipenzi in July 2015.
