Stan Geiger

Giraffegate

Two giraffes have recently died at the Tulsa Zoo. Okay, so that's a little odd. But is it an occurrence that demands the attention it is getting?

One deceased giraffe---the newly-purchased one---quite clearly broke its neck in transit. Judging from the video I saw, I'm surprised that poor thing lasted as long as it did. But there is no mystery hear. Crap happens sometimes.

The other deceased giraffe died, they say, from hypothermia during our recent cold snap. That has led to much attention from the local media, our City Council and even the federal government.

The quality of giraffe housing is being questioned.

Well, the giraffe barn has been around for 26 years. We've had some mighty cold days over that span of time. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm pretty sure this is the first time a giraffe has frozen to death. On top of that, the male, housed in the same facility, is still alive and kicking.

I'd say the facility is just fine.

There also seems to be at least a subtle trace of questioning relative to the competence and dedication of zoo employees.

Maybe it wasn't just hypothermia. Maybe the female had some impossible-to-detect condition, say, a weak heart or something, that contributed to her demise.

I'd say the caregivers in question are just fine. I'm sure they did their best. Again, crap happens sometimes.

With all that is going on these days, one would think the local media outlets could find better uses for their resources.

With all that is going on these days, one would think city councilors could find better uses for their time and energies than worrying about dead giraffes. For example, something like that $10 million budget shortfall, turning highway lights off, mothballing the lawnmowers and the impending layoff of employees.

With all that is going on these days, the federal government expending even the slightest amount of resources investigating the death of a giraffe is silly beyond mention.

Let's move on, shall we?

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