Rope found inside giraffe that died at zoo
A knotted rope was found in the intestines of a giraffe at the Montgomery Zoo that passed away last year.
Willie, a 12-year-old bull giraffe, was found dead at the zoo in December with no prior history of medical problems. A necropsy report obtained by the Montgomery Zoo Mann Wildlife Learning Museum stated there was indication the giraffe had aspiration pneumonia.
"The knotted rope lead to the intestinal blockage, which in turn resulted in the aspiration pneumonia," said Harold Pate, the zoo's veterinarian.
Connye the giraffe makes debut at Montgomery Zoo
Willie had been a resident of the Montgomery Zoo for 10 years. He and 8-year-old Ashley gave birth to Connye on March 23, 2015. Connye was the first new giraffe the zoo had had in three years, weighing in at 220 pounds and standing 6 feet tall.
The necropsy report also stated Willie's trachea was incised and several gallons of brownish/green fluid drained out, which is an indication of aspiration pneumonia. It is believed the rope found in the intestines was contained in the hay eaten by the giraffe. The hay was purchased from a third party, said Steven Pierce, program services manager at the Montgomery Zoo and Mann Wildlife Learning Museum.
Proud papa giraffe Willie has a baby at Montgomery Zoo
The knotted rope measured 5/8-inch in diameter and 2 feet high.
"The type of rope that was discovered in the intestines is not a type of rope that is used at the Montgomery Zoo," Pierce said.