Orana Wildlife Park is mourning the deaths of two of its much-loved animals, a 12-year-old giraffe named Mdomo and a five-month-old zebra foal called Zeeyore.
The park said its team was heartbroken by the losses, describing the animals as cherished members of the Orana family.
Mdomo died on Friday after her condition deteriorated following a general anaesthetic the week before.
She had developed a noticeable lump on her right cheek, suspected to be a feed impaction caused by an underlying dental problem. Staff had observed a gradual decline in her behaviour.
A detailed protocol for the anaesthetic was developed over many weeks with the veterinary team at Rangiora Vet Clinic because of the high risks associated with anaesthesia in large mammals. A multi-disciplinary team of four vets and 20 Orana staff carried out the procedure, each with specific roles.
The examination went to plan, with blood samples taken, head and dental radiographs completed, an oral inspection carried out, and a hoof check performed. No definitive cause was identified for the impaction issues.
Mdomo initially recovered well, but two days later her condition began to decline. Despite multiple vet visits, a treatment plan, and the best efforts of the animal care team, her health continued to worsen. On Friday morning, vets reassessed her condition and staff made the decision to euthanise her.
A post-mortem showed the cause of her decline was a significant reduction in gut movement, which can be a complication following sedation.
The park said Mdomo had been a much-loved member of the Orana family since arriving from Auckland Zoo in 2016. Thousands of visitors had the chance to meet her and hand-feed her over the years. Staff said it would take time to process her loss.
Her death comes soon after the devastating loss of Zeeyore, a zebra foal who passed away earlier in the month.
Zeeyore had been under constant veterinary monitoring since birth, with the animal care team supplementing his feed, but he failed to thrive. A post-mortem revealed that mis-mothering may have been the main cause of his death.
The foal had been weaned early by his first-time mother and never progressed as hoped. His gentle, quiet spirit inspired his name, a play on the Winnie the Pooh character Eeyore.
Earlier this year, Orana Wildlife Park announced the arrival of Herbie and Zeeyore, the first zebra foals born at the park in 30 years.
Staff said Zeeyore left a lasting impression on the team and would be deeply missed.
Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open-range zoo and is home to over 1,000 animals from more than 90 different species, including the country’s only gorillas. The park, which celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, is operated by the Orana Wildlife Trust, a registered charitable trust dedicated to conservation, animal welfare, education, and research.
The trust is a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Zoo and Aquarium Association Australasia, and ZAA New Zealand.
