Though Denver’s not eating as well as she should, the Reid Park Zoo giraffe who was fed toxic oleander cuttings last week ate a hearty serving of vegetables Sunday.
“She ate a giant pile of carrots and she pooped,” said Vivian VanPeenen, the zoo’s curator of education.
Denver’s condition has been up and down since July 18, when an apprentice zookeeper, who has since resigned, fed her and another giraffe trimmings that contained oleander.
The other giraffe, a 6-year-old male named Watoto, died.
The zoo’s two other giraffes were not fed the toxic plant.
Denver received several injections in her muscles Sunday to help keep her stable, VanPeenen said, including antibiotics and steroids.
Denver ate for the first time since the incident Saturday morning, but wouldn’t eat later that evening.
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“It’s not consistent,” VanPeenen said.
In addition to carrots, Denver also had her regular browse, which consists of branches with leaves.
Denver also wandered the exercise yard Sunday.
The yard is partially visible to the public and she was also able to touch noses with the zoo’s other giraffes, Elinor and Texas.
“She’s holding her own,” VanPeenen said.
Contact reporter Andrea Rivera at arivera@azstarnet.com or 807-8430.
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