Giraffe calf back at Franklin Park Zoo after going to Tufts for intensive care

"A giraffe calf returned to Franklin Park Zoo after being brought to Tufts' large animal hospital two days after his birth, Zoo New England announced. The endangered Masai giraffe, who was unable to nurse after his birth, returned to the zoo on Aug. 19 from Tufts University's Hospital for Large Animals after his health improved, according to the zoo. He is currently being bottle fed by an animal care team while the team works to reintroduce the calf to his mother, the zoo said."

""The first hours are a critical time for the calf to start bonding with its mother and receive nourishing food and critical antibodies from her colostrum, or the first milk," Dr. Brianne Phillips, associate veterinarian at Zoo New England, said in the announcement. "Without acquiring these antibodies, the calf's immune system may not develop properly to deal with routine bacteria and disease.""

"Tufts' specialists said Aug. 14 the calf showed "significant improvement" in feeding and hydration as well as his attitude and activity. After the veterinary team's attempts to bottle-feed the calf failed, caretakers chose to transfer the calf to Tufts' Hospital for Large Animals at Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine, the zoo said. The calf, who also had diarrhea and mild pneumonia, received a plasma transfusion and IV treatments while at Tufts, Zoo New England said Aug. 14."

A 167-pound endangered Masai giraffe calf was born Aug. 7 to nine-year-old mother Amari and initially appeared healthy. Failed nursing attempts during the first 24 hours prompted veterinary intervention because colostrum antibodies are critical for immune development. After unsuccessful on-site bottle-feeding, caretakers transferred the calf to Tufts University's Hospital for Large Animals, where he received a plasma transfusion, IV treatments, and care for diarrhea and mild pneumonia. Tufts specialists reported significant improvement in feeding, hydration, attitude, and activity. The calf returned to Franklin Park Zoo on Aug. 19 and is being bottle-fed while staff slowly work to reintroduce him to his mother.

Read at Boston.com