PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (AP) - A young giraffe named Elliot has died at ZooWorld in Panama City Beach.
The News Herald of Panama City reports a zookeeper heard a loud thud while making her rounds on Friday evening. She saw Elliot fall and then make his way to the outside paddock.
In a news release, zoo officials say the zookeeper called for assistance. The staff was able to get the giraffe to his feet and back inside the barn. There, he collapsed again.
Officials say a veterinarian diagnosed a spinal cord injury and began treatment. He later died.
Elliot was three weeks old when he arrived at the zoo in November 2012. A female giraffe was added in January. The zoo added the giraffes after a 23-year-old giraffe named Sidney died last summer.
