MANORVILLE, N.Y. — Bobo, a beloved giraffe at a Long Island hunting ranch who died last October, was malnourished due to lack of heat, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report.
A USDA inspection report released on January 30 said the 3-year-old giraffe, which died of heart failure, was not given enough heat or proper nutrition.
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Long Island Game Farm did not respond to calls and emails seeking comment.
A “Bon Voyage” party was held in September for Bobo, a popular member of the Long Island Game Farm family, just days before his death. Bobo was heading to warmer climates after a cold winter.
However, the plan was for Bobo the giraffe to return soon and live on the farm year-round. The fundraising event at the Long Island Game Ranch was hosted by the Wildlife Sustainability Foundation, a new organization at the game ranch. -Profit arm.
Funds from the event were raised to support the construction of a heated and air-conditioned giraffe enclosure large enough to house two giraffes and provide year-round public programs to raise awareness of endangered species. .
When Bobo passed away, Long Island Game Farm President Melinda Novak said, “We are deeply saddened. We loved Bobo beyond measure and he was an integral part of this park.” “We have worked hard to create a permanent home for him.” I will miss you terribly. ”
On Tuesday, John Di Leonardo, president and executive director of Humane Long Island, an anthropozoologist and wildlife rehabilitator, said, “Long Island hunting ranches are not providing enough heat for Bobo. “We believe that this is a serious violation of the federal Animal Welfare Act and also a violation of the Animal Welfare Act.” The 3-year-old giraffe was denied proper nutrition for several months before dying prematurely from heart failure. ”
He added, “Contrary to a statement from the Long Island Game Ranch that called Bobo’s death ‘sudden’ and ‘unexpected,’ the Department of Agriculture’s inspection report shows that Bobo died for at least two months prior to his death.” , revealed that he was suffering from a severe parasite burden and poor health,” it added. Bobo’s death showed ‘serous lipoatrophy’, also known as ‘starved bone marrow’, associated with ‘malnutrition’ and lack of adequate heat,” Di Leonardo said.
“In the wild, Bobo the giraffe roamed up to 100 square miles across the grasslands and open woodlands of Africa, spending much of the day sharing a complex social life with herds of his species for as long as 25 years. At night, they search for leaves, shoots and fruit on tall trees,” Di Leonardo said. “But at Long Island Animal Farm, Bobo basically starved and froze to death until his premature death at just 3 years old.” He died alone in a small enclosure with no giraffes or other animals.
Di Leonardo said his organization will investigate a $568,000 grant awarded to game meat farms from Suffolk County last year as part of the JumpSMART Small Business Downtown Investment Program.
Humane Long Island plans to file complaints with the Suffolk County Health Department and the Internal Revenue Service regarding the “Bon Voyage Party,” which “exploited sick baby giraffes in their final weeks of life,” Di Leonardo said. he added.
According to the USDA report, “On October 2, 2023, a 3-year-old male giraffe died due to a period of rain and cooler temperatures in the local area. He was diagnosed with an infection and was being treated by a veterinarian for the first time in about 2 months.
“Weather records indicate that the lowest temperature immediately before the giraffe’s death was 53 degrees Fahrenheit, and the total precipitation for three days was equivalent to 1.16 inches. The giraffe’s necropsy showed serous fat atrophy in multiple locations. High-energy feed and temperature-controlled barns were found to be associated with increased survival of giraffes under such conditions.The barns at this facility were fitted with heaters near the ceiling. Perimeter insulation, chest-level heating, or interior thermometers This item will be amended on October 2, 2023, and the facility will consider local climate conditions to accommodate the barn. Appropriate corrective action must be taken by updating the giraffe to be appropriate for the species it was kept in prior to obtaining it.”
Regarding feeding, the USDA report states: “The 3-year-old male giraffe had been under veterinary care for approximately two months due to a severe parasite load and poor health. The giraffe’s normal diet did not include high-energy browsing.”The giraffe’s poor health was due to his owner’s instructions, which included feeding him lettuce, carrots, second-cut hay, and pelleted food. , this may be due to the giraffe’s poor health. This item was amended on October 2, 2023, and the facility will no longer have giraffes. Facilities should take appropriate corrective action by applying an appropriate feeding plan before acquiring another giraffe. ”
In early October, staff at Long Island Game Farm in Manorville said they were shocked to learn of Bobo’s sudden death.
“Long Island Game Farm regrets to announce the sudden passing of our beloved giraffe Bobo,” the release said. “According to Dr. Benjamin Haar, a veterinarian at the game farm, Bobo died suddenly of heart failure on the morning of October 2nd. The 3-year-old giraffe was receiving regular care for parasites common in giraffes. Tests. We are in the process of making adjustments, but it may take several months to see results.”
John Di Leonardo, president and executive director of Humane Long Island, an anthropozoologist and wildlife rehabilitator, believes giraffes should not have been kept at this facility or similar farms. He said he is doing so.
“At roadside zoos like Long Island Game Ranch, giraffes are confined to a small portion of their natural habitat and are unable to learn their most basic skills, such as using their incredibly long tongues to explore the world,” he said. He added that he believes he has not been given the opportunity to act. Chronic deficiencies of this kind can manifest as emotional distress and frustration, such as abnormal pacing and repetitive, compulsive tongue movements, as observed in both Long Island giraffes Bobo and Clifford. may cause abnormal behavior that is a sign of Game Farm was rented out before him. ”
Long Island Game Farm responded to Mr. Di Leonardo’s remarks. “In response to Mr. Di Leonardo’s comments regarding the zoo, we would like to express that everyone at Long Island Game Farm is saddened by Bobo’s sudden death. It’s disheartening to see people exploiting the agenda for profit. “
LIGF added, “We understand that Mr. Di Leonardo doesn’t like zoos, but millions of people do. For many of them, zoos are a great way to see giraffes and other animals up close.” “This is our only chance to see it. We support the care of the animals.” Bobo and our animals and we look forward to continuing to share our animals with the thousands of New York families who visit us each year. ”
Additionally, LIGF states, “The majority of Long Island Game Farm’s animals are rescued, rehabilitated, or rehomed. We never take animals directly from the wild. “We are active within the zoo community across the country and frequently adopt them out.” Bobo was well cared for and loved on the hunting farm, among animals that others had surplus or were unable to care for. We were working on building a heated giraffe shed to house Bobo and another male giraffe on the farm. He was very lonely. ”
Long Island Game Farm added that the facility is a member of the American Zoo Association.
“The hunting farm also holds USDA Aphid Animal Welfare Act, Suffolk County Health Department Petting Zoo, New York State Department of Environmental Protection and Dangerous Animal licenses,” the statement reads. “Our dedicated staff and volunteers regularly attend training courses through a variety of organizations, including the San Diego Wildlife Academy, the American Association of Zoo Keepers, and the nonprofit American Zoo Association. We maintain the highest standards in the care of our game farms and aim to educate the public about the various wildlife species that call our game farms home.”
The staff mourned Bobo’s death.
“Bobo was a very important member of our zoo family,” said Game Farm Director Greg Drossel. “His presence created so many lasting memories, not only for the staff but also for all visitors who were touched by his kind personality.”
Representatives from Long Island Game Farm said last year that they also support the efforts of the Giraffe Conservation Foundation to secure the future of all giraffe populations in the wild. Game Farm also donated a portion of that week’s ticket sales to nonprofit organizations, event organizers said.
Di Leonardo said last year he wanted to see change. “If Long Island Game Farms cared about giraffes, they would stop renting them and transporting them as packages over hundreds of miles into unsuitable climates, and start new I would commit to using the space I found to expand the existing enclosure for one of the many other cramped animals.”
“It’s too late for Bobo, but not too late for other animals suffering in roadside zoos like Long Island Animal Farm,” he said Tuesday. I am calling on the people to honor Bobo by pledging not to go,” he added. Zoos and places where animals are exploited for entertainment. ”
