Baby Giraffe Born At San Diego Zoo Has Died

Photo: Getty Images

The San Diego Zoo celebrated the birth of a giraffe just in time for what would have been Betty White's 100th birthday on Monday, January 17.

“We could not think of a more fitting way to remember (White’s) dedication to conservation than watching this newborn giraffe take their first steps,” the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance wrote on Twitter.

The zoo held off on sharing the "brand new wobbly wonder's" name, gender, and any other details. Unfortunately, just a few days later, the zoo announced that the baby giraffe had to be euthanized.

In an online statement, they explained that specialists noticed the two-day-old male calf had difficulty standing and was not nursing, according to a report from City News Service.

He was taken to a Safari Park medical center and received "around the clock care," but after his condition worsened, "the team made the compassionate decision to euthanize the calf.”

“Zindzhi and the other members of the giraffe herd are being monitored closely for any unusual behavior after the calf’s passing,” the zoo’s statement read. “Please take a moment to offer your condolences to all who are feeling this difficult loss. We thank you for your support.”

The iconic actress who died on December 31 at the age of 99 was a longtime animal advocate.

On what would have been her 100th birthday, people around the country celebrated her life with the #BettyWhiteChallenge which encouraged people to donate money in White's name to animal shelters and related charities.

Another local organization, the San Diego Humane Society, celebrated White by waiving adoption fees from January 11 to January 16.

"Betty White was a true ally for wildlife and lover of our planet," the San Diego Zoo wrote in a Facebook post. "In 2013, we had the privilege of celebrating her with our Conservation Medal for her efforts on behalf of endangered species and their habitats."


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