Skip to main content

Maryland Zoo’s baby giraffe in intensive care unit

WASHINGTON — A Maryland Zoo giraffe is currently in an intensive care unit after veterinarians found a change in the giraffe’s blood work.

[related_gallery align=”right”]Julius, the male giraffe calf, has encountered health problems since his June 15 birth at the Maryland Zoo. The giraffe received a plasma transfusion from another giraffe in Ohio’s Columbus Zoo and Aquarium only days after he was born.

Maryland Zoo officials said in a statement that Julius was lacking adequate nutrition because he was not nursing. Though zookeepers gave the calf supplements, Julius was still not getting enough antibodies.

Zoo veterinarians have been working on stabilizing the giraffe and getting him to feed from a bottle.

Pet of the Week: 2020 pets

Pet of the Week is a weekly feature that highlights a pet available for adoption from D.C.’s Humane Rescue Alliance. Take a look back at our 2019 pets.
Read Next Story