Giraffe Dies 'of Anxiety' In Latest Taiwan Animal Scandal

TAIPEI, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 11th Augst,2016) - A seven-year-old male giraffe has died of anxiety after being caged and loaded onto a truck at a Taiwan zoo, the latest animal death to spark angry calls for tougher protection laws. The giraffe -- named Hsiao Chiu -- was due to be transported from the municipal Taipei Zoo to a private zoo for mating when he began to struggle and then collapsed, officials said Thursday. "The zoo lost Hsiao Chiu in a painful accident," Taipei Zoo said in a statement, adding the trip had already been postponed from June so the sensitive animal could get familiar with the process.

The animal had died before the truck had even left for the private zoo in Hsinchu city, about 70 kilometres (43.5 miles) from Taipei. An autopsy showed the giraffe was suffering from pneumonia and anxiety from the transportation, which triggered breathing difficulties and muscle damage. The giraffe died of lung and heart failure. Animal rights advocates criticised the zoo while vowing to continue to push for tougher laws to protect animals in captivity.