Tulsa World: What a pain

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What a pain
Giraffe arrives with a crick

Amali, the newest giraffe at the Tulsa Zoo. Courtesy

By World's Editorial Writers
Published: 11/27/2009 2:21 AM
Last Modified: 11/27/2009 5:39 AM

What's worse than a giraffe with a sore throat? A giraffe with a crick in its neck.

It's no joke. The Tulsa Zoo's new female giraffe, Amali, arrived from Ohio with a crick in her neck. And, unlike a sore throat, the crick might be permanent.

The crick aside, however, Amali is said to be in good shape, eating well, moving around and interacting with the other giraffes. She has been treated with pain and anti-inflammatory medications since her arrival in October and zoo veterinarians say she shows no indications of being in pain.

A giraffe has the same number of vertebra — seven — in its neck as most mammals, but the vertebra are, obviously, much longer. Strong ligaments along the back of the neck hold up the head.

Of course, it's no joking matter. And we are confident that the staff at the Tulsa Zoo will take good care of Amali. Amali and another female giraffe on loan from California, were brought to Tulsa to breed with the zoo's male giraffe, Samburu.

Those plans are on hold for now. Not tonight, Samburu, she has a neck ache. By World's Editorial Writers

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	Report Comment Loophole, (11/27/2009 2:40:59 PM) It's pretty bad when the "experts" can't transport an animal without permanently injuring and disfiguring it. If they can't do any better than that, leave them in the wild. They'll live longer.
	Report Comment Thunder196, Tulsa (11/27/2009 11:36:45 PM) They can say what ever they want, but this giraffe will probably not make it. I doubt if much care was given for their well being while they were being transported. It probably is in pain. . As far as I'm concerned all zoos should be closed.
	Report Comment Elusive, Owasso (11/27/2009 11:50:05 PM) Poor Amali, I hope they are able to fix her neck. It does look painful.
	Report Comment Allan74145, Tulsa (12/1/2009 12:05:36 PM) What's worse is Tulsa Worlds constant efforts to make light of the giraffe's condition in their articles and cartoons.

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