STAFF at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, were today mourning the death of Philip the baby giraffe who captured the hearts of thousands of visitors.

The zoo yesterday took the decision to put him to sleep after septic arthritis was found in his left shoulder.

He was being hand-reared but his health had been steadily declining after showing little interest in his food.

Because Philip, who was born on August 1, never received his mother Biffa's colostrum he failed to acquire immunity to infection despite doses of antibiotics.

Bill Hall, a head zookeeper who cared for Philip, said: "It's very upsetting. It is such a shame because Biffa was pregnant for 15 months. Everyone is down. He was nice. He was relatively friendly. It is a great shame. It is a great disappointment after two years' expectation. The decision was not taken lightly."

Mr Hall said it would be hard to explain to the many young visitors what had happened.

Biffa the mother has shown no reaction. "I don't think she was aware they were related.

"She wasn't that bothered. There was no close personal bond. She no longer had a baby. He was never worried about her. He was very much a loner."

A full post-mortem will be conducted to discover any further problems.

A statement by the zoo said: "The decision to euthanase Philip was taken with a heavy heart but with a full understandings of the problems which he would have faced as a sickly animal. He has been spared pain and suffering.

"Everyone at the zoo mourns for Philip and the year will be remembered for his short presence at the zoo."

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