A giraffe has died at the Tashkent Zoo.

On January 8, a giraffe passed away at the Tashkent Zoo. This was reported by the zoo administration.

Photo: Tashkent Zoo

"We utilized all possible methods and treatment options to save the giraffe, including assistance from specialists participating in daily international veterinary video conferences, as well as consultations with foreign colleagues," the statement reads.

It was noted that the results of the pathological examination revealed that the cause of the giraffe's death was gastric torsion.

"The most unfavorable prognosis was confirmed: the autopsy showed that the cause of death was gastric torsion, and despite all our efforts, the outcome was fatal. Due to the anatomical and physiological characteristics of giraffes, surgical operations on the gastrointestinal tract are not performed on these animals, as there are no successful cases of treating such conditions in global practice."

On January 6, the zoo reported that the giraffe had been refusing to drink for 11 days.

"When our giraffe showed symptoms of illness and was diagnosed with 'gastric atony,' the zoo staff and veterinarians immediately began treatment. Consultations were also held with leading veterinarians from Russia and Estonia, who specialize in giraffes, and a video conference was organized."

"Unfortunately, despite all our efforts, the animal's condition continued to deteriorate. Today marks the 11th day of illness; the giraffe refuses liquids and is visibly losing strength. We were unable to restore gastric motility," noted Mahmoud Kuziboev, the chief veterinarian of the Tashkent Zoo.

It is worth recalling that in February 2022, a giraffe named Maxim, brought from Kazakhstan, died in the Fergana Zoo. In January of the same year, he caught a cold due to the winter chill in Uzbekistan.

In September of the same year, a giraffe named Alatau died at the Tashkent Zoo. According to pathological and laboratory studies, the cause of death was brain ischemia caused by pre-stomach tympany. Tympany, in turn, developed due to a congenital defect of the duodenum.