BOSTON (WPRI) — A newborn endangered giraffe at the Franklin Park Zoo is showing “significant improvement” after receiving specialized treatment for nursing complications, according to Zoo New England.
The male Masai giraffe was born to 9-year-old Amari around 10 a.m. on Aug. 7 following a “normal pregnancy.” Weighing 167 pounds, the calf appeared healthy and was able to stand but had trouble nursing within the first 24 hours.
Veterinarians tube fed the calf to deliver vital colostrum and gave him a plasma infusion after several failed attempts to bottle feed.
Dr. Brianne Phillips, an associate veterinarian at Zoo New England, said without these antibodies, his immune system would not be able to fight routine bacteria and disease…