Cold weather and low body fat led to giraffe's death

A necropsy had determined cold weather and an inappropriate diet caused the death of a young giraffe at a Langley, B.C., wildlife facility in December.

The four-year-old animal was one of two giraffes to die at the Mountain View Conservation and Breeding Centre located east of Vancouver last month.

Bruce Burton, a veterinarian who treats animals at the centre, said the necropsy showed the giraffe had low body fat levels, but that wasn't apparent before the animal died because it is difficult to test and measure the fat levels in giraffes.

"They are big animals — huge animals — and if they are tamed right down, then you can maybe get a feel on them. But if you can't, it's very difficult to get a blood sample. It's very difficult to get your hands on them to do a reasonable body score. So that can be a complicating factor," said Burton.

It appears the giraffe was only eating the grains out of its mixed feed while ignoring food that would have increased its body fat, said Burton. As a result the facility will change its feeding protocols, and improve heating for its four remaining giraffes, he said.

A second giraffe died during the December cold snap, but necropsy results are not yet available.

In December the B.C. SPCA also launched an investigation into allegations that animals at the endangered species breeding facility were inhumanely euthanized. The results of that investigation have yet to be publically released.