Utah’s Hogle Zoo mourning loss of pregnant giraffe

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah, Jan. 8, 2020 (Gephardt Daily) — Utah’s Hogle Zoo is mourning the loss of giraffe, Pogo, and her unborn calf.

“Pogo’s rapid decline caught keepers and veterinarians by surprise and is a perfect example of the difficult nature of caring for animals whose instinct is to hide all symptoms,” said a press release from the Zoo. “Pogo was in late-term pregnancy but not due for another five months. The Zoo would not be able to save the calf.”

The 17-year-old Rothschild giraffe showed no signs of illness until Sunday afternoon.

“Monday morning, Pogo’s condition was not improving and by that afternoon, while veterinarians were in the barn to administer medications, Pogo succumbed to her illness,” the press release added.

Necropsy, which is an animal autopsy, results showed abnormal intestines. Tissue samples and cultures were taken for further testing and microscopic analysis by expert zoo pathologists.

“We’re just heartbroken,” said giraffe keeper, Melissa Farr. “We lost her in about 24 hours.”

Keepers noted a subdued demeanor in Pogo on Sunday afternoon.

“Her behavior was just off,” Farr added. “She wasn’t eating like normal she didn’t want to interact with keepers. We were keeping a close eye on her.”

Pogo’s keepers put veterinarians and nightwatch employees on alert throughout Sunday evening as with Pogo’s advanced pregnancy, keepers and veterinarians worried Pogo might be preparing for an early delivery or stillbirth, the press release said.

The necropsy showed that Pogo was pregnant with a male calf, in perfect condition but simply not big enough to attempt saving.

“At 48 pounds, there would have been no way to save him as he was only one third of a proper birth weight,” said Dr. Nancy Carpenter, director of animal health. “Initial results do not indicate that the problems were related to the pregnancy. Her calf was getting big and sometimes they stick their feet places and cause issues. We did take extra cultures and we will run tests to try to figure that out.”

“Pogo was a wonderful giraffe, a great herd member and quite curious,” said Farr, Pogo’s keeper. “She was very interested in things, even if she didn’t want to take part. She was a wonderful companion to the other giraffes and a perfect mother to her calves.” Pogo had two babies and was ‘auntie’ to another.

Many guests will remember Pogo from feeding her during the summer months and watching her keep a close watch on the young ones on the Savanna.

“She also loved the cold,” said Farr. “While the other giraffes would hide in the barn, Pogo liked to be outside and feel the cool air.”

Pogo came to Hogle Zoo in 2005. The Zoo now has one male giraffe, 16-year-old Riley, and two females, 3-year-old Minka and 15-month-old Georgetta.

“Pogo will continue to be an ambassador to her marvelous yet threatened species,” the press release said. “The Zoo collected adipose (fat) tissue to be used in generating new stem cells for fellow giraffes in need.”

The Zoo continues to work in conjunction with AZA and the SSP (Species Survival Plan) to contribute to healthy animal populations in zoos, officials said.