Reid Park Zoo - Tucson Zoological Society

Denver the giraffe continues to make progress. She is still not eating or digesting consistently, but she is active, showing more interest in food, and overall looks brighter. Today she visited the Giraffe Encounter for the first time since becoming ill and a few lucky visitors were able to feed her and pass along their “get well” wishes personally.

How did it happen that the giraffe had access to the oleander?
Oleander is not within the visitor or animal areas of the Zoo. However, oleander is plentiful around the perimeter road of the Zoo and throughout the park. In fact, from the front gate of the Zoo visitors can see a long line of oleander intertwined with the fence, which forms the barrier into the Zoo. It has been there since the Zoo’s construction decades ago without problem.

A series of unfortunate events led to accidental delivery of oleander to two giraffe on Monday evening.
•    Per protocol, keepers were informed by grounds staff that “hackberry,” an approved browse, was available for pick up near the Learning Center  – branches were picked up by several Keepers, including for the giraffe.
•    At another location, different branches were on the ground – in the process of being disposed of.
•    The additional branches were picked up by an apprentice keeper, and fed to giraffe with the hackberry.
•    The additional branches were oleander – a toxic substance.

Who’s at “fault?”
The Zoo staff accepts full responsibility and is reviewing our extensive safety and browse procedures, as well as staff training. Although protocols are in place, we will make any needed changes to make sure it is impossible for this error to occur again. In this case, a human error was made.  Training and policies are important and we will continue to scrutinize our protocols. In the end, however, it is human decision making that is at fault. It was that one moment of human error that we unfortunately did not prevent. We are unsure why the branches were picked up, as they were not approved.

All staff members are extremely distraught over the situation. The keeper trainee who delivered the browse voluntarily resigned to the Reid Park Zoological Society.

How did you know the giraffes had the oleander?
The giraffes’ Keeper discovered the oleander browse in the barn the next morning – unsure at that time if it was consumed. She knew immediately what the branches were, removed them, and notified veterinary staff. We know two giraffe were given oleander in their barn stalls – Watoto and Denver. The other two females only received the approved browse and were not exposed.

When did you know Watoto was “sick?”
By mid day Tuesday symptoms began with Watoto. He stopped eating and drinking and would lie down on and off. He displayed increasing lethargy and became less responsive. He died at around 6 p.m. Veterinarians and the animal care team did everything humanly possible to save him after the ingestion occurred.

How is Denver, the other giraffe, who was exposed?
Only Watoto displayed signs of illness Tuesday. The female, Denver, remained under close observation and is still considered at risk. She has been drinking and some bodily functions seem normal. However, she still is not eating, and this is of great concern to us.

How much oleander was consumed?
We did not know at the time how much was consumed. Preliminary necropsy on Watoto did confirm oleander in the stomach –significant enough that nothing else could have been done to save him. The toxicity caused heart arrhythmia and pathologists suggest the actual cause of death was heart failure. Final necropsy results will not be available for several days, although we do not expect any different information.

Have you stopped giving browse?
No. We have a nutritionist who assists in approving the most appropriate diets for each species of animal, and we typically supplement that daily diet with browse in order to provide interest and activity for the animals.  Browse delivery is an important part of whole-life care. We have a “browse policy” stating that our grounds staff will provide non-toxic vegetation as it becomes available.  Our zoo keepers are trained to recognize appropriate browse materials, and to avoid anything they do not recognize.

So what will be changed to make sure this doesn’t happen again?
We are still in the process of scrutinizing everything that could have changed the outcome of this tragedy, and will make careful recommendations based on findings.

Our primary concerns at this time are:
1.    The health of Denver, the female giraffe.
2.    Our support for grieving staff and community members who will be forever affected by these events.
3.    The ongoing professional care for the entire Zoo collection.

Why don’t you just cut down all of the oleander?
Although there is no oleander in the animal areas, we do plan to widen the oleander-free circle around the Zoo. It is challenging because there are vast quantities of well established mature oleander around a majority of the Zoo perimeter. It is completely entwined in the fencing and irrigation. Tearing it out will compromise the perimeter fence and put the entire collection at risk. It will be a major project.

How can I help?
Reid Park Zoological Society is accepting donations to provide funding for Zoo improvement projects. Funds raised in this effort will be used to assist in the addition of privacy fencing and alternate plant materials to replace the current ones. Excess funds, if any, will be used to assist the Zoo with other improvement projects.

Donations may be made by visiting the Zoo’s website at www.tucsonzoo.org, in person at the Giraffe Encounter platform or by mailing gifts to the Reid Park Zoological Society at 1030 S. Randolph Way, Tucson, AZ 85716.

Zoo Keepers and Veterinarians report this morning that Denver remains stable with very little change. She is up, alert, and drinking. She is still not eating, which is of great concern. She has access to her outdoor exercise yard this morning – which allows her to see and be closer to the other two female giraffes while still being behind-the-scenes where her care givers have better access to her for continued careful observation.

Denver, the female giraffe, remains under careful observation this evening. She is still not eating, which is of great concern to the animal care team. We will continue to keep you posted.

Although still under very careful observation, the female giraffe “Denver” remains stable. As of this morning Zoo staff reports she is drinking, urinating, and defecating, which are good signs. She seems more interested in food today as well. We will continue to provide updates as she progresses.

As suspected, early pathology reports confirmed a significant quantity of oleander was ingested by Watoto. Pathologists suggested, based on examination, that heart arrhythmia was the cause of death. This would be consistent with oleander toxicity. Although hearing this validated our heart-breaking suspicions, it also confirmed that once the oleander was ingested, there was nothing else husbandry staff could have possibly done to save his life.

We are so thankful for the outpouring of support and concern that members and friends have provided for grieving staff. The Zoo team is focusing today on Denver’s health and providing continued professionalism for the many other animals in their care.

Reid Park Zoo is deeply saddened to announce the death of “Watoto,” a male giraffe, who died on the evening of July 19, 2011.

“This is a difficult loss for the Reid Park Zoo family,” states Susan Basford, Zoo Administrator. “This was a horrible and unfortunate accident that resulted in the loss of an animal.  Our staff is broken-hearted.”

Pathologists will conduct a full analysis to determine the official cause of death.  There is reasonable cause to believe the ingestion of toxic vegetation will be confirmed.  A series of unfortunate events may have led to the accidental ingestion of oleander, vegetation toxic to many animals.  It is a typical practice of zoos to feed animals green trimmings from surrounding vegetation and there are standards and protocols in place to ensure the trimmings are safe for the animals.  The actions and circumstances in this case are being thoroughly reviewed to determine what happened and to see if protocols need to be improved to ensure the health and safety of our animals.

Two giraffe were exposed to the substance, but only Watoto displayed symptoms yesterday. The other giraffe remains under careful observation and veterinary care.  Watoto began exhibiting signs of illness mid-day yesterday. He was refusing food and water, choosing to lie down, and generally displaying lethargy, although he remained responsive. His keeper remained by his side all day, keeping him under close observation.  By late afternoon it was clear that he was not improving.

All veterinary reports and advice suggested the situation was grim, and that recovery was not likely. The husbandry team, including Zoo staff and outside zoological experts, stepped in to attempt supportive fluid therapy and the administration of medication to combat the toxicity of the vegetation. The team worked diligently doing everything humanly possible to save the animal; however, during the initial stage of treatment, the giraffe’s heart stopped. After all emergency response options were exhausted he passed away.

Basford states, “Through the regrettable events that occurred, I also witnessed our staff at its best – professionals who care deeply about our animals, and who worked diligently as a team doing everything humanly possible to save an animal in our care.”

In honor of National Zookeeper week (July 17-23), show our world-class staff of keepers how much you appreciate them! Fill out this form and we’ll post your messages in the keepers’ quarters. Also, if you bring a “thank you” card for our keepers to the front gate of the Zoo between July 17th and the 23rd, you’ll get one free child admission.

Female African elephant “Shaba” enjoys a frozen treat featuring cucumber slices and pieces of fruit.

Summer Safari WILL continue tonight, but due to the monsoons this week, some special activities will not take place as planned. Pricing tonight will be $5 for adults, $3 for children, and ALL MEMBERS GET IN FREE!

Join Reid Park Zoo Keepers at Tower Theaters in Marana this Saturday night (7/9) from 5-8 p.m, for the opening weekend of “Zookeeper,” the movie!  They’ll be giving the scoop on what it’s REALLY like to be a Keeper, and giving away prizes to lucky moviegoers.  Plus, if you bring your “Zookeeper” movie stub to the Zoo, you will get a FREE child’s admission.  We hope to see you there!