ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Veterinarians at Seneca Park Zoo euthanized a newborn Masai giraffe on June 17, 2025, after the calf was born unable to stand due to nerve damage in its left rear leg.
The male calf, delivered by 4-year-old Kura in the early morning hours, never gained the ability to rise despite several hours of monitoring by animal care staff. Zoo veterinarian Dr. Chris McKinney determined the paralysis was irreversible.
“We could see the calf was incapable of standing on its own, and we determined the calf had nerve damage causing paralysis,” McKinney said. “Because it was a nerve and not a musculoskeletal injury there was not a way to splint the leg, and the prognosis was fatal.”
The calf was also underweight, suggesting additional complications beyond the paralyzed limb.
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Critical First Hours
Giraffe calves must stand within their first hour of life to survive. The six-foot drop from mother to ground during birth is violent but natural. Calves that can’t quickly get to their feet cannot nurse, making survival impossible.
Staff reviewed video footage of the birth and watched the newborn for hours. The calf made no progress toward standing.
McKinney explained the nerve damage likely occurred from positioning in the womb or during delivery itself. With first-time mothers like Kura, these complications carry higher risks.
“Giraffe births have inherent risks, especially with first-time moms,” McKinney said. “The risk of a newborn giraffe calf not surviving is close to 50%. This can be due to birth defects, injury, or disease.”
Young Mother’s Unexpected Pregnancy
Kura arrived at the Rochester zoo eight months earlier from San Diego Zoo Safari Park in October 2024. She was 3 years old at transfer, brought to join the breeding program under recommendations from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan.
Zoo officials suspected Kura might already be pregnant when she arrived, but her age made it difficult to confirm. Standard ultrasound procedures would have caused the young giraffe significant stress, so staff relied on observation instead.
“She was very young to be pregnant, and with first-time giraffe pregnancies, it can be difficult to tell,” McKinney said. “Kura was not yet comfortable with procedures like ultrasounds, so confirming a pregnancy would have been quite stressful for her.”
When her pregnancy became apparent, veterinary teams adjusted her diet to include higher calories and calcium. They monitored her closely for behavioral changes throughout her term.
The short window between pregnancy confirmation and birth left no time for public announcement.
Endangered Species at Risk
Masai giraffes face extinction in their native range across southern Kenya and Tanzania. The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists them as endangered due to poaching, habitat destruction, and human development fragmenting their populations.
Breeding programs at accredited zoos work to maintain genetic diversity while supporting field conservation. Seneca Park Zoo joined the Giraffe SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program when it established its giraffe program in 2018.
Every birth matters for species survival. Every loss compounds the challenge.
Current Herd Status
Five Masai giraffes remain at Seneca Park Zoo:
Females:
- Iggy, 8 years old
- Kura, 4 years old
Males:
- Olmsted (nicknamed Olmy), 3 years old
- JD, 4 years old
- Elliot, 2 years old
Elliot arrived with Kura last October from San Diego. The pair joined the tower as part of breeding recommendations to strengthen the genetic pool.
Kura has rejoined the herd and shows normal behavior following the loss. Zoo director Bob Lee confirmed she’s eating well and interacting with other giraffes without signs of distress.
The Animals of the Savanna building closed temporarily to allow staff to monitor stress levels across the tower. Giraffes are sensitive to changes in herd dynamics, particularly after births or deaths.
Recent Losses
This marks the latest in a series of deaths at the zoo’s giraffe program since 2022:
- July 2022: Male calf euthanized at 17 days old due to front leg joint abnormality
- February 2023: Parker, adult male, died after becoming entangled in barn structure
- February 2024: PJ, male calf, died from encephalitis
- July 2024: Kipenzi, adult female, euthanized due to cancer
Despite these setbacks, the program continues contributing to broader conservation efforts for the endangered species. Olmsted, born at the zoo in April 2022, remains healthy at 3 years old.
Zoo officials emphasized their commitment to the Species Survival Plan and maintaining their role in protecting Masai giraffes from extinction. The loss of Kura’s first calf, while devastating for staff, falls within the documented risks of giraffe reproduction in both captive and wild populations.
