Baby giraffe that ‘captured the hearts’ of Texas zoo community suffers fatal injury

Two months since “capturing the hearts” of a Texas zoo community, a baby giraffe suffered a fatal injury.

Zahara, a giraffe at Abilene Zoo, needed emergency care when she broke her leg, the cause unknown, according to the zoo. As the medical team was working to help her, she died the morning of Oct. 2.

Now, the zoo is grappling with the “tragic loss,” they said in a news release.

“We know this news will be heartbreaking to the many who followed her journey from birth,” the zoo said.

Zahara was born on July 20 , already 6 feet and 6 inches tall, and quickly showed her “playful and spirited personality,” according to the release.

Throughout her two months at the zoo, she bonded with her parents Malaika and Congo and other giraffes in the herd.

“Zahara brought immense joy to our zoo family and the community,” general curator Robert Trejo said. “We appreciate the overwhelming support and love shown for Zahara since her birth, and our hearts go out to everyone who felt a connection to her, especially her primary zookeepers.”

Abilene is about a 150-mile drive southwest from Fort Worth.

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