Zoo Puts Giraffe On Birth Control

Vets at the Biblical Zoo in Jerusalem have put a giraffe on birth control since the giraffe population tripled to nine recently.

Five-year-old Shavit has been injected with birth control hormones, delivered by dart, after giving birth twice in four years. A zoo spokeswoman, Sigalit Dzir, said yesterday that while the calves are cute and giraffes make good mothers, there is not enough room for more. Keepers are also worried about inbreeding.

The zoo has moved two giraffes to a zoo in Singapore, but US and European zoos do not want animals from Israel because of fears of foot and mouth disease.