Baton Rouge Zoo Mourning the Loss of Burreaux

BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo is profoundly mourning the loss of its 20 month-old male reticulated giraffe, Burreaux, who was born at the Zoo on December 26, 2019.

On Tuesday, September 7th, Burreaux experienced a sudden onset of acute symptoms that included a severe cough & overall agitation. The Zoo’s veterinary staff took immediate measures to help, including swiftly administering medications to stabilize. As well, he underwent constant staff evaluation to optimize his chances of recovery. The Zoo’s team reached out to numerous zoological veterinarians throughout the nation – none of which had experienced a giraffe with comparable symptoms.

The veterinary team’s plan was to observe him overnight and schedule an immobilization, assisted by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine, to explore the issue further on September 8th at 8am if no improvement occurred. There was little change in his condition until 12:30am when he took a turn for the worse and died soon after.

A necropsy was performed by the LSU School of Veterinary Medicine pathology team & the Zoo’s veterinary staff at LSU today. Official results will be available in approximately 30 days.

The Zoo’s entire team adored Burreaux and is undergoing their own level of sadness over this sudden and unexpected loss.