Month-old giraffe dies
at Maryland Zoo
A baby giraffe that had suffered from health problems since birth last month at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore has died, the zoo announced Saturday. The calf, named Julius, took a turn for the worse Friday. He was euthanized Saturday morning after zoo caretakers concluded that he was no longer improving and that there was little else the staff could do to help him. “It’s hard to put our emotions into words right now,” Don Hutchinson, president and CEO of the zoo, said in a statement. “Our veterinary staff and our animal care team put their lives on hold to try and nurse Julius back to health, and every avenue was explored. Sadly, he was unable to survive in spite of their Herculean efforts.” The zoo’s veterinary staff realized soon after Julius’ birth June 15 that he was not well. Giraffes typically begin to nurse within a day of being born, which is how they obtain essential antibodies to build up their immune systems, Dr. Samantha Sander, an associate veterinarian at the zoo, said in an interview Saturday. Julius never learned to nurse. The zoo fed him special formula and even gave Julius a plasma transfusion from a giraffe at the Columbus Zoo in Ohio. On Friday, the baby giraffe’s condition turned from critical to dire. The zoo will conduct a necropsy to try to identify underlying problems that might have contributed to Julius’ poor health.
Five men shot, two fatally, in Baltimore late Friday
Five men were shot — two fatally — in the span of about three hours late Friday night, Baltimore police said. Police responded to the 100 block of Reedbird Ave. for a report of a shooting about 11:45 p.m. Two men suffering from gunshot wounds were taken to an area hospital, police said. One man died at the hospital, police said, and the other is expected to survive. About 45 minutes earlier, police were called to the 3200 block of W. Baltimore St. A man was found with gunshot wounds, police said, and taken to an area hospital where he died. This brings the number of homicides to 187 this year. Police also responded to a report of a shooting in the 800 block of N. Fremont Ave. Officers found a man suffering from gunshot wounds about 8:30 p.m. Friday. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Police later responded to a report of gunshots being heard at about 10:55 p.m. in the 1300 block of Ponca St. A man was found suffering from a gunshot wound to his leg, police said. He was taken to an area hospital for treatment. Police ask that anyone with information call 410-396-2100 or Metro Crime Stoppers at 1-866-7Lockup, or text tips to 443-902-4824.
Judges criticize Maryland’s redistricting map
Federal judges reviewing Maryland’s congressional redistricting map say there is convincing evidence that the state’s Democratic leaders drew the districts to gain a seat for their party. A three-judge panel heard arguments Friday in Baltimore as part of a lawsuit. The panel was divided about whether the 2011 redistricting plan caused former Republican Rep. Roscoe Bartlett to lose his seat and whether the map should be changed.
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