Indonesia zoo giraffe dies with plastic in stomach

An aging giraffe at Indonesia’s largest zoo has died with a large lump of plastic found in his stomach, causing concern among zoo officials. In this photo taken Thursday, March 1, 2012 photo, Kliwon, 30-year-old male African giraffe, receives treatment from animal keeperers at the Surabaya Zoo in Indonesia. The only giraffe at Indonesia's largest zoological garden has died late Thursday with pounds of plastic blob found in his stomach. - APAnthan Warsito, the spokesman for the Surabaya Zoo in East Java’s capital, says the 30-year-old giraffe — named “Kliwon” — was sick for several days before dying Thursday. Giraffes have a life expectancy of 20-30 years, and Warsito says Kliwon’s death was not surprising. But an autopsy Friday found a 44-pound (20-kilogram) lump of plastic in Kliwon’s stomach. The lump had a diameter of 23 inches (60 centimeters). Warsito said Saturday the plastic appeared to be from wrapped food thrown by zoo visitors, and from garbage that had blown into his stall. Kliwon was the zoo’s only girafe. Warsito said other animals at the zoo would be given checkups.