31. 01. 12. - 13:59

Baby giraffe Arusha dies at Schönbrunn

Less than three months after the death of Schönbrunn’s favourite baby seal, the Austrian zoo has lost another of its youngest members. Seven-month-old giraffe Arusha died on Saturday after developing a sudden case of colic.

Mother Rita brought baby Arusha into the world on 4 July 2011, measuring 1.70 metres and weighing 60 kilograms. The baby plummeted from a height of about two metres when born but within minutes was standing and walking around on her wobbly legs. The new born appeared to be in good health and showed no sign of illness over the last few months.

The giraffe, who had fast become visitors’ favourite friend, developed a case of colic on Friday of last week and stopped feeding. Medical care was given to Arusha who "seemed to then get better", explained the zoo’s vet Thomas Voracek. The next morning however Arusha was found dead in her pen.

An autopsy will now be performed in order for veterinaries to determine the exact cause of the seven-month-old's death. Baby seal, Diego passed away in November last year having suffered from an on-going serious illness.