Burreaux, the 1-Year-Old Giraffe at the Baton Rouge Zoo, Has Died

The Baton Rouge Zoo has announced that Burreaux, the 1-year-old giraffe, has died, according to KATC.

Burreaux, who was almost 2, made a splash 20 months ago when he was born at the Baton Rouge Zoo: he was the first giraffe successfully born there in almost 20 years (according to WAFB).

A public fundraising vote was held to name the tyke, with all monies going to the Baton Rouge Zoo.

Burreaux was the winning name as it was a take on the last name of a quarterback for the Louisiana State University football team who won the Heisman Trophy, Joe (not a Cajun) Burrow.

According to the story from KATC, Burreaux began to experience a "severe cough" and "overall agitation" on Tuesday. The zoo veterinarians were able to stabilize him, but only for a short while.

Overnight, Burreaux's condition worsened and, at half-past-midnight, Burreaux succumbed to the mystery ailment.

The veterinary staff at the Zoo and at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine conducted a necropsy to try to determine the cause of Burreaux's death, the results of which are expected in about a month.

The zoo staff, according to the story, were very taken with Burreaux and, as can be expected, are very saddened by his death.

I was always taught that when any bad news came my way I should try to look for the good within that bad news. In this case, I think of the joy that Burreaux brought to the area, even if it was for a short time. I think of the money he helped raise for the zoo to continue its mission. I think of the wonder he stirred in the hearts and minds of those who visited him. I think of the smiles on the faces of the little ones when they gazed up at him.

I also think of Burreaux's brand new little sister, born at the Baton Rouge Zoo just last week. I hope that she can continue the good work that Burreaux was doing.