Some sad news out of Zoo Miami- the zoo has announced that Pongo the giraffe unfortunately had to be euthanized. Pongo suffered a foot fracture in 2019 that could not be treated successfully. He was 12 years old.
According to Zoo Miami Communications Director Ron Magill, Pongo sustained a small fracture in 2019 which caused pain in his left rear hoof. In September, Pongo was immobilized so veterinarians could perform X-rays, laser therapy and fit him with custom shoes in hopes that those combined treatments would promote the healing of the fracture and alleviate his pain.
The procedure worked at first, but the shoe eventually detached and Pongo began to have more issues. Recent x-rays revealed that he had further fractured the foot and was in too much pain, so the zoo made the tough decision of euthanizing him.
So sad to hear this news. May he rest in peace š
Photo: Getty