Three months after she passed away, zoo officials say Mimi, the female giraffe, died of a parasite she had for years.
Mimi died at about 1 a.m. Monday, August 24, 2015 at Niabi Zoo in Coal Valley, Illinois, after zoo staff noticed she was having possible digestive troubles. The necropsy was scheduled at the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
Now, zoo officials say Mimi was infected with the “most pathogenic parasite” that strikes large ruminants, or large animals that chew cud. Mimi’s infection with the Haemonchus contortus parasite was actually discovered shortly after the giraffe herd arrived at Niabi Zoo in 2007, according to a November 24 statement from the zoo. The herd was routinely treated with a variety of de-worming products.
“Unfortunately this parasite is resistant to the majority of de-wormer treatments, so there is no real way to resolve the investation. The hope is to keep the parasite load at low numbers,” said Niabi Zoo’s contracted veterinarian, Dr. Lauren Hughes.
“Usually in situations of increased infestation, the symptoms appear quickly and then rapidly become fatal, much like they did for Mimi,” Dr. Hughes said.
The zoo increased its requirements in 2012 for testing all animals, before they are added to Niabi Zoo, according to Interim Zoo Director Daniel Meates. Incoming animals go through several health tests, a quarantine period of at least 30 days, and repeat testing before the quarantine period ends. They have also renovated facilities and enhanced disinfection protocols to help prevent the spread of parasites and diseases among animals.
“We have implemented the best practices in the zoo field, but there are difficult lingering situations such as the giraffe herd where we work to improve their lives and hope for the best outcome,” Meates said.
The rest of the Niabi Zoo’s giraffes include a nine-year-old male, Kenya a nine-year-old female, Twiga.
