Jazz The Orphaned Baby Giraffe Who Made Best Friends With A Dog Has Died

An orphaned baby giraffe named Jazz has died at an animal sanctuary in South Africa.

Jazz had become popular to people across the internet thanks to his friendship with a Belgian Malinois called Hunter, who acted as the facility's guard dog.

Their friendship was pure, simple and beautiful.

The Rhino Orphanage/Facebook

But sadly their bond is no more after Jazz died at The Rhino Orphanage, which said the entire team was left 'heartbroken' by the news.

The Orphanage wrote on Facebook: "Our Team is heartbroken as we announce that our beautiful, brave boy, Jazz the giraffe, passed away.

"The last two days before we lost him, Jazz started looking unstable on his legs and very dull, almost like he wasn't registering everything. He suddenly collapsed and we could see blood starting to pool back into his eyes.

The Rhino Orphanage/Facebook

"Jazzie's heart rate dropped and he showed neurological systems. His friend Hunter knew something was wrong as he suddenly stayed by the giraffe's side again not going outside. Jazz took his last breath with Hunter and all his human mommies by his side."

The post continues: "Our vet reports that Jazz had hyphema (blood pooling in the eyes) coupled with brain haemorrhaging which could be due to a genetic defect or under-developed valve system. He couldn't regulate blood pressure to his brain and therefore bleeding between the ventricles occurred. All our efforts were in vain."

It was widely reported that animal experts believed Jazz was abandoned by his mum because she thought there was something wrong with him medically.

The Rhino Orphanage/Facebook

The Orphanage noted that the mother giraffe's suspicions must have been bang on.

If you want just one more emotional dagger to this story, The Rhino Orphanage signed off with this message: "Hunter is doing well. He stayed till the end and said his goodbyes. He sat in front of Jazz's empty room for a while and then went to our carers for comfort.

"We will update everyone on his progress as he can now get back to training to be a tracking dog. He is eating well and playing with his brother again. Such a good boy."

My heart can't take this much emotion today but it's beautiful to know that these two animals shared something beautiful.

Topics: News, Animals

Stewart Perrie

Stewart Perrie is a Trending Journalist at LADbible. His first job was as a newsreader and journalist at the award winning Sydney radio station, Macquarie Radio. He was solely responsible for the content broadcast on multiple stations across Australia when the MH17, Germanwings and AirAsia disasters unfolded. Stewart has covered the conflict in Syria for LADbible, interviewing a doctor on the front line, and has contributed to the hugely successful UOKM8 campaign.

@stewartperrie