Three giraffes die in Siberian zoo

A third giraffe has died this month in the park of flora and fauna in Russia's Krasnoyarsk. The cause of death will be announced in a few days, when experts conduct an autopsy of the giraffe.

Chief vet doctor of Russia Nikolai Vlasov concluded that all animals of the Krasnoyarsk zoo were kept in good conditions. However, first deputy mayor Viktor Shevchenko decided to dismiss zoo director Nikolai Kulakov from his position. "This is a measure that will allow to take an unbiased look at the situation as a whole," he said, Sibnovosti.ru reports.

A special commission was set up to investigate the deaths of the animals in the zoo. Shevchenko said that the Krasnoyarsk zoo was not the only one in the country that bought giraffes in South Africa. It became known that other Russian zoos purchased animals from the same batch too. Some of those other animals have died as well.

Two giraffes died in Royev Ruchey zoological park of the city of Krasnoyarsk from 26 September to 2 October in the Park. The autopsy of the giraffe named Laurel showed that the animal had died of liver failure. Most likely, the disease was congenital. The cause of death of female giraffe named Yara, who died a little later, was identified as cumulative stress. This diagnosis is characteristic of many animals born in the wild.

First deputy head of Krasnoyarsk is not sure yet whether the zoo is going to purchase new giraffes. The official said that preference would be given to the animals born in captivity, Press Line said.