SPCA questions baby giraffe's death at Vancouver zoo

The Greater Vancouver Zoo is again under investigation by the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, this time for the death of a baby giraffe born in captivity.

The eight-day-old animal died last week, but the zoo didn't make an announcementuntil Wednesday night.

Dr. Bruce Burton, the veterinarian treating the animal, told CBC Radiothe giraffe had gone through a "difficult" birth on June 21.

He saidthe mother was drugged for the birth and later stepped on the newborn giraffe, likely breaking its ribs. He said the baby also suffered from pneumonia.

The SPCA's Eileen Drever says she isn't satisfied with that explanation, and plans to investigate the death.

But she doubts it could have been prevented under the circumstances.

"It's really unfortunate that this animal had to die. The fact is, nobody forced them to breed the giraffes."

The Aldergrove facility is already facing two countsof cruelty to animals, for its treatment of Hazina the hippopotamus. Those chargeswere laid after a report by the SPCA.

Burton says the baby giraffe died the same day that Hazina was being moved to a larger enclosure.

"I think everybody was so focused on responding to the SPCA and making sure that everything was fine with Hazina,that maybe not as much attention was being paid to other things at the zoo at the same time."