'This is so sad': Internet mourns baby giraffe Fenn who died after being unexpectedly startled at North Carolina zoo

ASHEBORO, NORTH CAROLINA: The North Carolina Zoo is mourning the loss of Fenn, a beloved six-month-old giraffe calf who died tragically on Wednesday, December 13, after an accident in his enclosure.

The baby giraffe sustained fatal injuries after being unexpectedly startled by another giraffe and hitting his head on a metal gate, as reported by The Mirror.

Fenn died after sustaining fatal injuries due to being startled

Zoo officials said the accident occurred while Fenn was nursing. Another young giraffe unexpectedly bumped into Fenn, causing him to bolt directly into the nearby gate. The impact of the collision resulted in severe trauma to Fenn's head and neck.

Veterinarians rushed to provide emergency care but tragically were unable to save Fenn's life. He passed away later that evening. The North Carolina Zoo, based in Asheboro, is home to over 1,700 animals and 52,000 plants across a sprawling natural habitat.

"The North Carolina Zoo family is shocked and devastated by Fenn's tragic death," wrote a zoo spokesperson on their website.

"Staff members, particularly the caretakers who formed a special bond with him since his birth, ask for respect and privacy during their time of grief," the spokesperson added.

Fenn was born at the North Carolina Zoo on May 30 to first-time mother Leia, 14, and father Jack, 15. He quickly became a beloved part of the zoo community, delighting staff and visitors alike with his energetic, playful personality. His name was chosen by over 100,000 people who voted in an online poll.

Outpouring of grief floods social media in the wake of Fenn's death

As news of Fenn's passing circulated online, an outpouring of sorrow flooded social media platforms. Expressions of grief and calls for enhanced safety measures echoed across various online communities.

"Rip sweet baby. This is so sad," lamented one user. Another user conveyed the depth of their emotions, stating, "This is heartbreaking."

Amid the grief, a user expressed disbelief, saying, "This is the last thing I wanted to read."

Reflecting on the tragedy, another individual empathized, remarking, "Poor baby. What an unfortunate accident."

Adding to the conversation, a user suggested reconsidering the living conditions of zoo animals, saying, "So sad to hear about this. Maybe they need to roam free or build a safer enclosure for them."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.