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Giraffe Calf Euthanized after Suffering Spinal Injury

Incident Date:
02/20/2026
Location:
Detroit, MI - USA
Facility Name:
Detroit Zoo
Facility Type:
Accredited AZA Facility (AZA)
Incident Category:
Animal Death (AD)
Species:
Other
Animal:
Giraffe
Animal disposition:
Dead

Summary:

DETROIT, MI – A baby giraffe at the Detroit Zoo has died after she suffered a spinal injury, zoo officials said on Friday. Officials say 2-month-old Okidi ran into a habitat viewing panel earlier this week. Animal care and veterinary teams determined that the giraffe calf sustained a vertebral injury, which they described as “serious.”

“Given the severity of the injury and poor prognosis, our animal care and veterinary team made the humane but heartbreaking decision to euthanize Okidi. The herd, including her mother, Zara, was given the opportunity to observe Okidi following the procedure, an important step in supporting herd dynamics,” the zoo said. The giraffe was born on Nov. 23, 2025, and was a few days shy of reaching 3 months old.

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