Louisiana Zoo Challenges USDA Over Seizure of Ailing Giraffe

A Louisiana zoo is taking a stand against federal regulators, claiming they went too far in taking away a sick giraffe from their care. Barn Hill Preserve, a private zoo known for close encounters with exotic animals, is contesting the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) decision to remove a giraffe named Brazos.

Barn Hill Preserve, which also runs a location in Frankford, Delaware, is objecting to the USDA’s actions, saying that they took Brazos without a proper warrant, ruling, judgment, or adequate oversight. The Louisiana branch of Barn Hill is situated in Ethel, approximately 25 miles north of Baton Rouge.

The USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service cited a “continued failure” to provide the giraffe with adequate veterinary care, leading to “unrelieved suffering” for Brazos.

Barn Hill claims they are being unfairly singled out for alerting the USDA to the giraffe’s poor health. They stated that a veterinarian who had been caring for Brazos for two years “committed medical malpractice by not treating the giraffe properly or having the necessary skills to care for him in the first place.” This veterinarian has since been dismissed.

Gabriel Ligon, CEO of Barn Hill Preserve, expressed concerns, saying, “If they can take our animals, they can take your cows, your horses, and we believe we have just been completely disrespected and that our civil rights are not being honored. The fact that our vet admitted via email that she misdiagnosed our animal and basically didn’t know what she was doing, I don’t know how we should be penalized. I think that the USDA should’ve given us more guidance and the resources.”

In response to the USDA’s plan to take Brazos, the company hired a giraffe specialist who recommended against moving the giraffe.

USDA records show issues at Barn Hill Preserve dating back to 2018, including a 2021 complaint about veterinary staff failing to properly diagnose or address the health concerns of some animals.

The USDA has transferred the giraffe to another zoo licensed under the Animal Welfare Act.