Baby G, a 2-week-old giraffe calf, died Saturday at the Virginia Zoo.
The giraffe developed serious complications after his birth Oct. 13, and zoo staff had been treating him since Wednesday.
"These complications can happen despite the best possible efforts made to support their survival and even after seeing improvements, as we did with Baby G," zoo officials said on social media.
Baby G was given antibiotics, fluids and plasma transfusions in an effort to boost his immune system, the zoo said. Giraffe calves that do not nurse with their mothers within the first 24 hours, like Baby G, have a more fragile immune system and are more susceptible to infection.
Baby G was the first calf for his mother, Noelle.
“Mom Noelle, as well as our other two giraffes, Billy and Imara, are all doing well and are adjusting to the changes that have occurred over the past few days,” the zoo said in a statement.
When he was born staff immediately noticed something amiss when he did not nurse with her, according to the zoo.
"We're hopeful that the calf will continue to respond to treatment," zoo director Greg Bockheim said shortly after Baby G's birth. "You never know what to expect with first-time moms, but I'm confident our staff is providing the best care for the newborn, and we'll just have to be patient with the process."
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