9-year-old giraffe dies at Audubon Zoo of unknown causes

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - A giraffe has died at a New Orleans zoo.

The Advocate reports a male giraffe called Jumo died Wednesday night. The nine-year-old giraffe was born at the St. Louis Zoo and resided at the Audubon Nature Institute’s giraffe habitat for eight years.

The institute said in a Facebook post that its veterinary experts will work with Louisiana State University pathologists to conduct a necropsy to determine cause of death.

Audubon senior veteran Bob MacLean called Jumo’s death “particularly disheartening,” given the worldwide giraffe population of 100,000.

The Audubon Nature Institute says its giraffe habitat, home to three other male giraffes, will remain open.

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Information from: The Advocate, https://theadvocate.com