Giraffes, known for their towering necks and unique appearance, are not typically associated with medical devices like inhalers. However, a recent development at Banham Zoo in Norfolk, UK, is changing how we approach the healthcare of these remarkable animals. Mahiri, a 16-year-old giraffe, has become part of a groundbreaking treatment plan involving an inhaler, a concept not usually linked with large wildlife.
According to IFLScience, this innovative approach is helping manage her chronic respiratory condition and is opening up new possibilities in animal care. Such treatments are gradually transforming the way we understand and support the health of zoo animals.
A Giraffe with a Nasal Condition: A Unique Challenge
Meet Mahiri, a 16-year-old giraffe living at Banham Zoo in Norfolk, UK. Mahiri has been dealing with a long-term nasal condition for years, which causes constant discharge from her nostrils, making breathing difficult. The condition is believed to be linked to an autoimmune disorder, though the exact cause remains unknown.
While oral steroids were initially used to manage her symptoms, they weren’t a long-term solution. As anyone who’s been on medication for an extended period knows, it’s not ideal to rely on it forever. So, the zookeepers and veterinary team at Banham Zoo came up with a plan to shift her treatment to something more sustainable and effective.
Introducing Inhalers to the Animal World
This is where the inhaler comes in. Yes, you read that right. Giraffes, thanks to some innovative thinking, are now using inhalers. But getting Mahiri to accept the inhaler wasn’t a simple task. As Dr. Elliott Simpson-Brown, a veterinary surgeon at Banham Zoo, explained:
The job of the inhalers essentially is to mimic what the oral steroids do, but in a much more targeted way. So, the inhaler therapy essentially opens up those airways […] and reduces the amount of discharge that’s produced, and also her respiratory effort.
To start, Mahiri was introduced to a nebulizer—a device that turns liquid medicine into a fine mist, which she could inhale. It’s a more gentle approach compared to the sharp puffs from an inhaler. Over time, the team transitioned Mahiri to a standard inhaler. The process took three years, but the results have been impressive.
As Deborah Harris, the Animal Manager at Banham Zoo, said,
Giraffes as a species can be quite nervous of anything new, so introducing medical equipment takes enormous patience and trust-building. Our keepers adjusted daily routines and worked at Mahiri’s pace to help her feel comfortable.
The effort paid off. Mahiri is now confidently using the inhaler on her own, and there’s hope that this treatment will eventually replace the need for oral steroids. Not only does this provide a more targeted approach to her health, but it also minimizes the side effects that can come with long-term medication use.
The Role of Patience, Trust, and Next Steps for Mahiri’s Health
What stands out in Mahiri’s story is the bond between the giraffe and her caregivers.
The fact that she now calmly accepts her inhaler is a real testament to the bond between her and her care team – Harris added.
This highlights the crucial relationship that the zookeepers have developed with Mahiri, which has been key to her comfort and treatment success.
While the inhaler treatment is a huge win, there’s still work to be done. The team at Banham Zoo is now focusing on identifying the root cause of Mahiri’s condition. As Dr. Simpson-Brown explained,
Trying to get diagnostic samples off a giraffe is not that easy. What we’re going to need is some nasal swabs to test the actual discharge that we’re seeing, as well as a blood sample.
So, keeping everything crossed for the next steps, that we [manage] to get some answers and continue seeing her improve at this point – he added.
The team hopes these efforts will lead to a better understanding of Mahiri’s health and allow for more targeted treatment moving forward.