Death of giraffe at Dehiwala zoo being investigated after concerns were raised
December 8, 2023 11:44 pm
An independent investigation has been initiated into the death of the female giraffe at the Dehiwala Zoological Gardens, its deputy director Dinushika Manawadu says.
Born in 1993, 30-year-old “Haley” was one of the two female giraffes at the Dehiwala Zoo, belonging to an endangered giraffe species.
She had reportedly been suffering from an ailment and was having mobility issues. The veterinary surgeons of the zoo had administered antibiotics to the ailing giraffe while treating an infection on one of its hoops.
This is suspected to have caused an allergic reaction which ultimately led to her death on Thursday (Dec.07).
The postmortem was conducted by veterinary surgeons attached to the Wildlife Conservation Department and the Faculty of Animal Sciences at Peradeniya University.
The authorities of the zoo are now awaiting the postmortem report to determine the actual cause of death of “Haley”.
The investigation into the giraffe’s death was commenced on the instructions of the Dehiwala Zoological Garden’s director Ranjan Marasinghe.
