{"id":733453,"date":"2026-06-29T19:46:25","date_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:46:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/733453\/"},"modified":"2026-06-29T19:46:25","modified_gmt":"2026-06-29T19:46:25","slug":"national-team-brought-to-safari-west-to-address-2-year-old-giraffes-debilitating-cysts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/733453\/","title":{"rendered":"National team brought to Safari West to address 2-year-old giraffe&#8217;s debilitating cysts"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Three minutes before 10 a.m. on June 19, Zeyna tried to stand.<\/p>\n<p>Woozy, she stumbled into a barn wall with a bang, sending shudders down the row of wooden stalls.<\/p>\n<p>Ryan Sadler, senior veterinarian at <a href=\"https:\/\/sdzsafaripark.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">San Diego Zoo Safari Park<\/a>, kept his voice even.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAtta girl,\u201d he said, trying to ease the not yet two-year-old, undersized giraffe out of full anesthesia and into a standing position.<\/p>\n<p>Less than a minute later \u2013 precisely two hours after the first sedative-loaded dart was shot into Zeyna\u2019s side \u2013 she was standing in Stall 3 at Safari West under her own power.<\/p>\n<p>It was the result that a team of veterinarians, hoof care experts and a large animal support crew worked nonstop for 120 minutes in a high-risk environment to reach, but it was an outcome never assured.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlacing shoes on them is relatively common,\u201d Sadler said after Zeyna\u2019s procedure. \u201cBut this, for sure, was a rare procedure where we put shoes on all four in such a young animal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Just behind him, in the giraffe barn at <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/2023\/06\/26\/safari-west-a-30-year-animal-attraction-delivering-for-kid-friendly-market-2\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Safari West<\/a> on Porter Creek Road in Santa Rosa, Zeyna was standing tall, under her own power, with four new high-tech shoes on her feet.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2018That spark has dimmed\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Ellie Gressman started noticing something was off back in December.<\/p>\n<p>Gressman, the lead giraffe keeper at Safari West, and others were noting that Zeyna had started favoring her front left hoof. Eventually it became clear she was experiencing similar discomfort elsewhere. Her gait changed. She moved tenderly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe started actually holding up one leg,\u201d Gressman said. \u201cThat is very abnormal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Once sassy with what Gressman described as a spitfire personality, Zeyna\u2019s head had begun to droop.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you do anything she doesn\u2019t like, she will give you a little kick, she will snort at you,\u201d Gressman said. \u201cShe is huffy, she is sassy and I appreciate it. She will put you in your place.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Her pain started eating away at that fire.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThat spark has dimmed a little bit,\u201d Gressman said before the June 19 procedure.<\/p>\n<p>Gressman, Safari West head veterinarian Emily Cehrs and others who oversee Zeyna\u2019s care worked to determine the source of her pain.<\/p>\n<p>But giraffes are sensitive animals. And Zeyna, even if a spitfire, is no different.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cGiraffes can be very touch-sensitive and touch-averse,\u201d Gressman said.<\/p>\n<p>She is also more than a little bit headstrong.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Oakland Zoo vet tech Quincy Grey, starts an IV line while Dr. Brian Sandler, right, checks the vitals of the tranquilized Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"5000\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_007.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052517\" \/>Oakland Zoo vet tech Quincy Grey, starts an IV line while Dr. Brian Sandler, right, checks the vitals of the tranquilized Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>They worked to have Zeyna \u201ccooperate\u201d with her care. They wanted her to be amenable to things like X-rays and treatments, and not to view them as being poked and prodded.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s cooperative care,\u201d Gressman said. \u201cSo they can kind of help with her own health care, to present her limbs for X-rays.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Eventually, Zeyna was able to submit for a limited round of images.<\/p>\n<p>That led to the discovery of cysts growing next to the navicular bone in Zeyna\u2019s feet. The source of her pain was uncovered, but not the solution.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe cysts are between the bones deep inside the hoof,\u201d Gressman said. \u201cIt\u2019s very, very hard to access it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>And dangerous.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio, use straps to position Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, onto a padded mattress after she was tranquilized Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"4500\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_003.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052516\" \/>Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio, use straps to position Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, onto a padded mattress after she was tranquilized Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou risk the potential fracture if you were to try to remove or pop the cysts,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>So the team sought ways to relieve the pressure.<\/p>\n<p>The team tried <a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8370292\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">pulsed <\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8370292\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">electromagnetic therapy<\/a>. The idea was to stimulate cell repair. But that, too, required Zeyna\u2019s cooperation.<\/p>\n<p>So her handlers worked to train her \u2013 often luring her with treats \u2013 to stand with her feet on a pulsing pad for an extended period of time, long enough to see if the electromagnetic waves would work.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019d have her there as long as we can get her to,\u201d Gressman said. \u201cI think our record was like 12 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>But there was no irrefutable proof that it, or any of the other efforts, was working.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Dr. Brian Sadler, right, holds the head of 2-year-old Zeyna while Dr. Emily Cehrs and Steve Foxworth roll the tranquilized giraffe over onto a padded mattress Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"4500\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_002.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052515\" \/>Dr. Brian Sadler, right, holds the head of 2-year-old Zeyna while Dr. Emily Cehrs and Steve Foxworth roll the tranquilized giraffe over onto a padded mattress Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe knew we needed to go down a more intense route,\u201d Cehrs said.<\/p>\n<p>Cehrs had been in touch with Sadler, with whom she had worked when he was with the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oaklandzoo.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Oakland Zoo<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI knew I needed some help,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have worked with Dr. Ryan when he was with the Oakland Zoo. He came up to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/2026\/04\/16\/photos-safari-west-cares-for-newborn-giraffe-at-sonoma-county-wildlife-preserve\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">help us with a baby giraffe<\/a>. I called him and he said he was willing to help with any giraffe procedures.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She also brought in experts from the Oakland Zoo.<\/p>\n<p>From there, the idea was to bring in Steve Foxworth and his team with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zhtp.org\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program<\/a> from Columbus, Ohio to fit Zeyna with highly specialized shoes \u2013 flat rubber urethane pads cut exactly to match the bottom of Zeyna\u2019s hooves.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOur goal is to take the strain off the navicular bones \u2013 the third bone that helps complete the last joint in the foot,\u201d Foxworth said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s to help change the way she bears weight when she hits the ground and make it more appropriate so the area that was injured can heal,\u201d Sadler said.<\/p>\n<p>But to do that, Zeyna had to be fully anesthetized.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"From left, keeper Nikki Smith, Dr. Brian Sadler and vet tech Quincy Grey set up an IV line for the tranquilized Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, while new rubber shoes were glued to her hooves Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"5000\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_015.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052521\" \/>From left, keeper Nikki Smith, Dr. Brian Sadler and vet tech Quincy Grey set up an IV line for the tranquilized Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, while new rubber shoes were glued to her hooves Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>And that procedure has perils.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe knew that there are risks. There are always risks involved,\u201d Cehrs said. \u201cThey are one of the more challenging animals to anesthetize safely \u2026 getting the animal down safely and getting them up safely is a lot.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe put a team together to do it as safely as possible,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u2018It\u2019s go, go, go\u2019<\/p>\n<p>That team gathered at Safari West early in the morning on June 19. Sadler ran through the plan, going over duties and procedures down to the minute. The goal was not only to affix Zeyna with her new shoes, but to do it with her under anesthesia for the shortest time possible.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere will be lot of talking, so everyone just kind of listen, look,\u201d Sadler said. \u201cEveryone kind of pay attention and we\u2019ll move as one.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe main thing is once she is down and once she is stable, it\u2019s go, go, go,\u201d he said. \u201cWe want to make sure we are doing this as quick as possible so that she\u2019s comfortable and stable, because the longer she\u2019s down, the worse it is for her recovery.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Maddie Hendrickson, center, and Steve Foxworth, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio, work as fast as they can with grinders to flatten and shaped 2-year-old Zeyna's damaged hooves Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"4500\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_008.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052509\" \/>Maddie Hendrickson, center, and Steve Foxworth, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio, work as fast as they can with grinders to flatten and shaped 2-year-old Zeyna\u2019s damaged hooves Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>Both Sadler and Cehrs reminded the team of the risk that the procedure might not work or that Zeyna might struggle coming out of sedation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are hoping these shoes will help, but we have no idea if they will,\u201d Cehrs said. \u201cWe are really trying to do everything we can for her. We have no clue if this will help. There is a chance it might not.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Just before 8 a.m., Cehrs opened the stall door slightly and shot a sedative dart into Zeyna\u2019s side. Ten minutes later, a second dart, this one with a combination that included Ketamine, was fired into the stall.<\/p>\n<p>This combination of medication would cause Zeyna to eventually drop to her knees and fall to one side 12 minutes after the second dart was fired.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019re good,\u201d Sadler said, giving the signal for the team to enter the stall.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Maddie Hendrickson, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio, uses a wire brush to clean between the damaged hooves of 2-year-old Zeyna Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"4500\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_011.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052503\" \/>Maddie Hendrickson, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio, uses a wire brush to clean between the damaged hooves of 2-year-old Zeyna Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>The team used straps to adjust Zeyna\u2019s 620-pound body onto a large bariatric mattress. Her head, elevated, was resting on a headboard covered in a soft cushioning taped into place. A towel was placed over her eyes.<\/p>\n<p>She was hooked up to an electrocardiogram monitor so the team could track her heart rate.<\/p>\n<p>She was intubated. A large animal ventilator began to breathe for her. Her vitals were monitored constantly.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe\u2019s breathing great,\u201d Sadler said at 8:20 a.m.<\/p>\n<p>The stall began to smell of burning as Foxworth\u2019s team of three began using a Dremel tool to sand down Zeyna\u2019s overgrown hooves.<\/p>\n<p>With multiple hooves being worked on at once, Cehrs and her team took X-rays of the free hoof with a mobile imaging unit.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"After waking from sedation before the hooves were finished, the keepers hold Zeyna down while administering a new small dose of sedation meds through the IV Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"3291\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_019.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052505\" \/>After waking from sedation before the hooves were finished, the keepers hold Zeyna down while administering a new small dose of sedation meds through the IV Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>Foxworth\u2019s crew used a stall across the hall to cut the rubber urethane to match the outline of Zeyna\u2019s hooves. An hour into sedation, the team began using strong-smelling adhesive to affix the pads to Zeyna\u2019s feet.<\/p>\n<p>When a shoe was on, it was wrapped in cellophane to speed the adhesion. The second shoe was on and wrapped by 9:20 a.m.<\/p>\n<p>At 9:29 a.m., Sadler, monitoring Zeyna, asked about Foxworth\u2019s progress.<\/p>\n<p>At 9:36 a.m., Zeyna startled the room by moving.<\/p>\n<p>Sadler oversaw the administration of more sedatives.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio manually move Zeyna's legs to prepare her for awakening after the hooves were completed Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"5000\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_022.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052501\" \/>Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio manually move Zeyna\u2019s legs to prepare her for awakening after the hooves were completed Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou concentrate on her feet,\u201d he told Foxworth. \u201cShe got Ketamine IV. You have time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Support crews began clearing excess hay bales and equipment from the stall in anticipation of Zeyna\u2019s sedation being reversed and her need to move freely as soon as possible.<\/p>\n<p>At 9:44 a.m. while Foxworth shaved excess adhesive from the sides and bottom of each shoe, Cehrs began massaging and moving Zeyna\u2019s free legs to encourage blood flow.<\/p>\n<p>Amid all of the disparate duties and movements, Sadler encouraged calm.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cLet\u2019s keep voices down,\u201d he said. \u201cWe are just getting into that recovery period. We want her to be chill.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At least two hay bales were left in the stall to protect Zeyna from a potentially sharp corner.<\/p>\n<p>At 9:56 a.m. the stall was largely cleared and Sadler began talking to Zeyna.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHer eyes are opening,\u201d he said. \u201cAtta girl.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She immediately tried to stand. It was a good sign. After a stumble, she was up on all four legs. At the debrief meeting outside of the barn, there was palpable relief.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u2018She seems a lot brighter\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Over the next eight to 10 weeks the plan is to assess how the shoes feel and determine whether to remove and re-apply the pads.<\/p>\n<p>Gressman and her team will continue to work with Zeyna in the hope that she will learn to participate in her recovery and might be able to withstand any future shoe removal and application without the full sedation.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s a big ask,\u201d she said. \u201cThat is the goal.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"After the IV's are removed, Zeyna is moved into position for her to stand easily after she awakens Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"4500\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_024.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052504\" \/>After the IV\u2019s are removed, Zeyna is moved into position for her to stand easily after she awakens Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>Gressman is hopeful. Zeyna, one of 10 giraffes at Safari West, has become a favorite. Not least because she\u2019s a pistol.<\/p>\n<p>And Gressman already sees small but meaningful signs of improvement.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe seems a lot brighter than she had before the procedure,\u201d she said five days after Zeyna got her shoes. \u201cShe\u2019s more aware. Her posture is different too.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She is still favoring the front left foot, but overall she\u2019s moving more fluidly, Gressman said.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_004.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio, use straps to position Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, onto a padded mattress after she was tranquilized Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The crew rolls Zeyna upright and into a position for...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_026.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The crew rolls Zeyna upright and into a position for her to stand easily after she awakens Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As Zeyna awakens from sedation Dr. Brian Sadler, front, and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_027.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As Zeyna awakens from sedation Dr. Brian Sadler, front, and Steve Foxworth are nearby to help the unsteady 2-year-old giraffe stand on her new padded shoes Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_022.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio manually move Zeyna\u2019s legs to prepare her for awakening after the hooves were completed Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_001.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio put the finishing touches on new rubber urethane shoes for Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, who had been having difficulty walking Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"After the IV\u00e2\u0080\u0099s are removed, Zeyna is moved into position...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_024.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>After the IV\u2019s are removed, Zeyna is moved into position for her to stand easily after she awakens Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Maddie Hendrickson, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio,...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_011.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Maddie Hendrickson, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio, uses a wire brush to clean between the damaged hooves of 2-year-old Zeyna Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"After waking from sedation before the hooves were finished, the...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_019.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>After waking from sedation before the hooves were finished, the keepers hold Zeyna down while administering a new small dose of sedation meds through the IV Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"As Zeyna awakens from sedation Dr. Brian Sadler, right, and...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_028.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>As Zeyna awakens from sedation Dr. Brian Sadler, right, and Steve Foxworth are nearby to help the unsteady 2-year-old giraffe stand on her new padded shoes Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Steve Foxworth, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio,...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_020.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Steve Foxworth, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio, smoothes out epoxy holding a padded shoe on 2-year-old Zeyna\u2019s newly trimmed hooves Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Maddie Hendrickson, center, and Steve Foxworth, with the Zoo Hoofstock...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_008.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Maddie Hendrickson, center, and Steve Foxworth, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio, work as fast as they can with grinders to flatten and shaped 2-year-old Zeyna\u2019s damaged hooves Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Safari West veterinarian Dr. Emily Cehrs, left, manually moves Zeyna\u00e2\u0080\u0099s...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_021.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Safari West veterinarian Dr. Emily Cehrs, left, manually moves Zeyna\u2019s legs to prepare her for awakening while the vet crew detaches the IV after the procedure Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Maddie Hendrickson, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_012.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Maddie Hendrickson, with the Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program from Ohio uses a sander to finish 2-year-old Zeyna\u2019s newly trimmed hooves before adding the cushioned pad Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Dr. Brian Sadler, right, holds the head of 2-year-old Zeyna...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_002.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Brian Sadler, right, holds the head of 2-year-old Zeyna while Dr. Emily Cehrs and Steve Foxworth roll the tranquilized giraffe over onto a padded mattress Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_003.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio, use straps to position Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, onto a padded mattress after she was tranquilized Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Oakland Zoo vet tech Quincy Grey, starts an IV line...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_007.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Oakland Zoo vet tech Quincy Grey, starts an IV line while Dr. Brian Sandler, right, checks the vitals of the tranquilized Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Selena Mejia, left, and Quincy Grey, with the Oakland Zoo...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_006.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Selena Mejia, left, and Quincy Grey, with the Oakland Zoo add an IV line for the tranquilized Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"From left, keeper Nikki Smith, Dr. Brian Sadler and vet...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_015.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>From left, keeper Nikki Smith, Dr. Brian Sadler and vet tech Quincy Grey set up an IV line for the tranquilized Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, while new rubber shoes were glued to her hooves Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program crew, left, work as quickly...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_017.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>The Zoo Hoofstock Trim Program crew, left, work as quickly as possible on Zeyna\u2019s hooves as zoo crews set up IV\u2019s and monitor her vital signs Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Maddie Hendrickson holds a rubber urethane pad while Steve Foxworth...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_013.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Maddie Hendrickson holds a rubber urethane pad while Steve Foxworth traces the outline of 2-year-old Zeyna\u2019s newly trimmed hooves Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Time is critical so Steve Foxworth, left, starts working on...\" class=\"lazyload size-article_inline\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.pressdemocrat.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_005.jpg?w=620\"  bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\"\/><\/p>\n<p>Time is critical so Steve Foxworth, left, starts working on Zeyna\u2019s hooves as the crew positions a padded board to elevate her head during the procedure Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>Show Caption<\/p>\n<p>1 of 21<\/p>\n<p>Veterinarians and keepers from Safari West, Oakland and San Diego Zoos along with an exotic animal hoofcare crew from Ohio, use straps to position Zeyna, a 2-year-old giraffe, onto a padded mattress after she was tranquilized Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"#\" class=\"icon-enlarge mng-gallery-fullscreen-expand\" aria-label=\"Expand fullscreen slideshow\">Expand<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe is just moving a lot more quickly and she\u2019s more eager to move than I have seen in awhile,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>When Gressman greets Zeyna in the morning and invites her from the stall and into an area where she can roam almost free, there is a sense of her old spirit, she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe\u2019ll immediately be ready to go,\u201d she said. \u201cShe will leave and check out, whereas before there was some hesitation. It\u2019s been exciting to see that.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" lazyautosizes lazyload\" alt=\"As Zeyna awakens from sedation Dr. Brian Sadler, right, and Steve Foxworth are nearby to help the unsteady 2-year-old giraffe stand on her new padded shoes Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)\" width=\"4028\" data- src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/TPD-L-benefield-062026_028.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"4052506\" \/>As Zeyna awakens from sedation Dr. Brian Sadler, right, and Steve Foxworth are nearby to help the unsteady 2-year-old giraffe stand on her new padded shoes Friday, June 19, 2026 at the Safari West animal preserve in Santa Rosa. (John Burgess\/The Press Democrat)<\/p>\n<p>You can reach Staff Columnist Kerry Benefield at 707-526-8671 or kerry.benefield@pressdemocrat.com. On Instagram @kerry.benefield.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Three minutes before 10 a.m. on June 19, Zeyna tried to stand. Woozy, she stumbled into a barn&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":733454,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[51],"tags":[315720,79,201],"class_list":["post-733453","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-wildlife","tag-safari-west-san-diego-zoo-giraffe-care","tag-science","tag-wildlife"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/733453","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=733453"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/733453\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/733454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=733453"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=733453"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=733453"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}