DALLAS — Staff with the Dallas Zoo is mourning after the death of their beloved 15-year-old giraffe Ferrell.
The zoo says late Friday, Dec. 29, Ferrell sustained an injury to the jaw after falling in the barn. After being looked over by the zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams, it was determined the injury required a surgical consult, officials said.
However, during the procedure to repair Ferrell’s jaw, the zoo says, the medical team discovered “he [Ferrell] had dislocated his jaw in such a way that surgery could not repair it.”
According to the zoo, jaw dislocations are difficult to treat even in smaller patients and the anatomy of the giraffe “hindered any type of reasonable repair.”
The zoo said prior to this injury, about 13 years ago, Ferrell had sustained a jaw injury resulting in issues with his tongue. Despite being able to use it, he lacked the ability to hold his tongue in his mouth. The zoo said after this recent fall and injury, Ferrell would’ve faced too many limitations and a possible amputation of his tongue in the future.
So, with extreme difficulty, the zoo’s team made the decision to euthanize Ferrell on New Year’s Eve.
“This sudden loss has left us all completely heartbroken. We kindly ask that you keep our staff in your thoughts as we navigate through this challenging time. Ferrell will be dearly missed by all who knew him,” the zoo said in a statement on its social media pages.