USDA report: Long Island Game Farm giraffe was malnourished before death

The new USDA inspection report reveals that the Long Island Game Farm failed to provide Bobo with adequate heat and failed to provide the giraffe with proper nutrition.

News 12 Staff

Apr 30, 2024, 5:17 PM

Updated 156 days ago

Share:

The United States Department of Agriculture cited the Long Island Game Farm for violating the Animal Welfare Act in the death of a 3-year-old giraffe named Bobo.
The new USDA inspection report reveals that the Long Island Game Farm failed to provide Bobo with adequate heat and failed to provide the giraffe with proper nutrition in the months leading up to his premature death from heart failure.
Contrary to statements from the Long Island Game Farm labeling Bobo's death "sudden" and "unexpected," the USDA's February inspection report reveals that Bobo had been suffering with a heavy parasite load and poor body condition for at least two months prior to his death.
The report says Bobo's necropsy showed "serious atrophy of fat," also known as "starvation marrow," associated with "malnutrition" and lack of adequate heat.
In October, game farm’s veterinarian Dr. Benjamin Haar said Bobo died from heart failure.