A Long Island game farm faced scrutiny this week after a federal report linked the death of a beloved giraffe to malnourishment, but representatives from the establishment defended its practices, citing medication-resistant parasites as a contributing factor.
Greg Drossel, the director of the Long Island Game Farm in Manorville, expressed regret over the loss of the 54-year-old giraffe, known as Bobo, but insisted that everything possible was done to save the animal. He refuted claims of starvation, attributing Bobo’s weakened state to a combination of factors, including medication-resistant parasites.
Bobo, a 12-foot-tall giraffe, collapsed and died on October 2 while preparing to return to a zoo in South Carolina after spending the summer at the Long Island Game Farm. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) report attributed Bobo’s death to malnourishment, cold living conditions, and a heavy parasite load.
Melinda Novak, president of the game farm, contested the USDA report, stating that Bobo had been receiving treatment for drug-resistant parasites. She emphasized that the farm had followed a feeding schedule recommended by Bobo’s owner, which included pellets, carrots, and lettuce.
Despite the efforts of veterinarians and caretakers, Bobo showed signs of serious atrophy, ultimately leading to his demise. A necropsy revealed an unusually small heart, but the USDA report did not indicate freezing temperatures in Bobo’s living quarters.
The USDA issued a warning to the game farm after Bobo’s death, mandating upgrades before allowing another giraffe on the premises. Subsequent inspections found no violations, and the farm has plans to construct a year-round giraffe house.
Drossel expressed bewilderment at the sudden attention months after receiving the USDA report, likening it to being “hit in the head with a shovel.” He emphasized the absence of communication with the farm and suggested that external agendas may be at play.
Overall, the Long Island Game Farm defended its practices while acknowledging Bobo’s tragic end, underscoring the complexities involved in caring for exotic animals and addressing medication-resistant conditions.
