Giraffe suffers from crick in the neck

A giraffe in a US zoo has been pictured suffering from what looks like an agonising crick in the neck

Published: 8:34AM GMT 26 Nov 2009

Five-year-old Amali from Tulsa Zoo, Arizona, suffered the unfortunate bend in transit from The Wilds park in Ohio.

It is feared that the hook might never be cured.

Since undergoing treatment from Tulsa Zoo's resident vet Dr Kay Backues, Amali has been kept in medical quarantine since her arrival on October 18.

The 11-foot tall female giraffe is not thought to be in any pain and staff at Tulsa Zoo are hoping the crick corrects itself naturally.

"When Amali the giraffe walked off the trailer into her new home she could walk, eat and manoeuvre normally," said Dr. Backues.

"Amali was initially treated for muscle fatigue and possible soft tissue trauma.

"We are using medications a human might use if they strained their neck or back, such as non-steroidal ant-inflammatories similar to ibuprofen, muscle relaxers, pain relievers (analgesics) and a vitamin supplement.

"These treatments have appeared to make her more comfortable, but further diagnostics are being planned to determine the extent of the injury.

"She is due to have an x-ray next week after the Thanksgiving holiday.

A giraffes neck is designed with strong ligaments and elongated bones that give it the ability to browse higher on trees in the wild than other animals.

However, in Amali's case the unique support system of the head and neck that gives them this advantage is a delicate alignment that is susceptible to injury by muscle fatigue, or ligament and tendon trauma.

Under constant medical surveillance Amali is adjusting well to her new environment.

Amali, whose name means "hope" in Swahili, will remain in quarantine and under veterinary care as the Tulsa Zoo develops options for her treatment.

She continues to function and act normally and zoo staff hope after more recovery time, she, too, will join her new herd on exhibit.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/6659950/Giraffe-suffers-from-crick-in-the-neck.html