![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978852.1722008165!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Giraffe at Calgary zoo died from a broken neck, investigation reveals
![Calgary zoo giraffe dies of a broken neck Emara, a 12-year-old Masai giraffe at the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo, died of 'a tragic accident' inside her enclosure on May 19, 2023. (Supplied/Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo)](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/5/29/calgary-zoo-giraffe-dies-of-a-broken-neck-1-6417620-1685372624789.jpeg)
Officials with the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo have released more information about the death of Emara, a 12-year-old Masai giraffe, earlier this month.
On Monday morning, staff released details of a complete necropsy on the animal's remains and concluded she "died quickly" from a broken neck.
The zoo says Emara died in the early morning hours, before any staff arrived.
"Evidence shows that Emara caught one of her ossicones (horns) on a cable surrounding the African Savannah Yard. This likely led to a fall against the fence and the associated broken neck," officials said in a statement.
It's believed the accident was an isolated incident, but the zoo says it is in the process of evaluating the fencing of the enclosure to see if any changes need to be made.
"At 12 years old, Emara was in the prime of her life and had been in excellent health prior to this, so her unexpected departure is being felt deeply by all of us," said Dr. Doug Whiteside, interim associate director of animal health and welfare. "The health and well-being of all the animals in our care is our top priority.
"Major life changes such as this not only affect our people but can affect our animal residents as well."
Emara came to the Wilder Institute/Calgary Zoo in 2016 from the San Diego Zoo.
The Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the body that governs zoo operations, has been informed of the incident.
The zoo's remaining giraffes, Nabo and Moshi, are doing well.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6978861.1722008569!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
At least 4 buildings burned at Jasper Park Lodge, others damaged: Fairmont memo
The Fairmont Jasper Park Lodge said Thursday afternoon most of its structures are 'standing and intact,' including its iconic main lodge.
Major Canadian bank experiences direct deposit outage on payday
Scotiabank says it has fixed a technical issue that impacted direct deposits on Friday morning.
'He was just gone': Police ramp up search for vulnerable 3-year-old boy in Mississauga, Ont.
Police in Mississauga are conducting a full-scale search of the city’s biggest park for a non-verbal toddler who went missing Thursday evening. Sgt. Jennifer Trimble told reporters Friday morning that there has been no trace of three-year-old Zaid Abdullah since 6:20 p.m., when he was last seen with his parents in Erindale Park, near Dundas Street West and Mississauga Road.
Sask. appeal court says anti-trans group cannot join constitutional dispute over pronoun law
Saskatchewan’s Court of Appeal has denied a political group that opposes so-called “gender ideology” intervener status in a legal dispute over the province’s controversial pronoun law.
B.C.'s top doctor ends four-year COVID-19 public health emergency
After four years of mask mandates, gathering restrictions, vaccinations and hospitalizations, British Columbia’s provincial health officer has ended the province's public-health emergency for COVID-19.
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Powerful cartel leader 'El Mayo' Zambada was lured onto airplane before arrest in U.S., AP source says
A powerful Mexican drug cartel leader who eluded authorities for decades was duped into flying into the U.S., where he was arrested alongside a son of Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman, according to a U.S. law enforcement official familiar with the matter.
Elon Musk's estranged daughter calls out his 'entirely fake' claims about her childhood
Vivian Jenna Wilson, Elon Musk's estranged daughter, publicly refuted several recent anti-trans statements her Tesla CEO and X owner father has made about her.
What we know about 'malicious' attack on French train network ahead of Olympics opening
French transport was thrust into chaos Friday just hours ahead of the Olympics 2024 opening ceremony after a series of co-ordinated 'malicious acts' upended high-speed train lines.Here's what happened and what we know so far.