Sad news on the animal front from Baton Rouge, where Burreaux the giraffe has died suddenly. The giraffe was only about a year and a half old and was one of the top attractions at the Baton Rouge Zoo.

Staffers from the zoo posted this message:

It is with the heaviest hearts that we let our Zoo family know that our beloved Burreaux, 20-month old male reticulated giraffe, has passed away. We are beyond saddened by this sudden loss and are grieving immensely.
Burreaux began having acute symptoms including a cough and he was quite agitated on Tuesday. He was checked out by staff veterinarians and given medication to stabilize him. But he did not improve.

The statement also says:

The Zoo’s team reached out to numerous zoological veterinarians throughout the nation – none of which had experienced a giraffe with comparable symptoms. The veterinary team’s plan was to observe him overnight and schedule an immobilization, assisted by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, to explore the issue further on September 8th at 8am if no improvement occurred. There was little change in his condition until 12:30am when he took a turn for the worse and died soon after.
Burreaux was born on December 26, 2019. The public picked the name to honor LSU Heisman trophy winning QB Joe Burrow who now plays in the NFL.

A final note from the official statement:

"The Zoo’s entire team adored Burreaux and is undergoing their own level of sadness over this sudden and unexpected loss. Rest in peace big guy. We love you!"

 

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